Runaway Formula One leader Max Verstappen said Thursday he felt “no emotion” at seeing his record-winning streak end as he looks to bounce back at this week’s Japanese Grand Prix.
Verstappen failed to extend his run of 10 straight wins at last weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, finishing fifth behind winner Carlos Sainz of Ferrari.
The flying Dutchman, who has won 12 of 15 races this season, is still a nailed-on certainty to win his third straight championship even though he can’t seal the deal this week in Suzuka. Verstappen was in no mood to dwell on last weekend’s rare failure, telling reporters he was ready to “move on and try again”.
“No emotion, we stopped winning for one race -– shit happens, we won 10 in a row before that,” he said. “Of course, I would have liked to have won there as well but we also know that there is always going to be a day where you have that weekend where you are not winning or things go wrong.”
Verstappen holds a whopping 151-point lead over Red Bull teammate and nearest championship challenger Sergio Perez with seven races to go.
Verstappen clinched last season’s title at Suzuka after a chaotic race shortened by rain. He will have to keep this year’s champagne on ice for a little longer but Red Bull can still wrap up the constructors’ championship in Japan.
