International media: "They are right: Verstappen from another planet"

The international media were already impressed by Max Verstappen in the first half of the season, but after the Belgian Grand Prix they are even more so. Verstappen and Red Bull Racing is a lethal combination, according to the international media.

Gazzetta dello Sport - Italy

Italy's biggest sports newspaper is short of superlatives to describe Verstappen's performance. He is given the maximum mark of 10. "They are right that he is a driver from another planet. Given his pace, he would even have won from the last starting position. Verstappen managed to finish over 26 seconds ahead of Sainz."

The conclusion La Gazzetta dello Sport draws is harsh. Ferrari are no longer in the fight for the world championship."With this amazing overtaking race Verstappen already put his signature under the second world title. And who knows what else is in store for him in the future? Red Bull also gets a 10 after its dominance at Spa-Francorchamps. "The RB18 has been like a UFO for a few races now and is threatening to dominate even at Monza, where Max has never won. It would be the latest slap in the face to Ferrari, while 2022 started so well for them.

Marca - Spain

Spain also saw that the Verstappen-Red Bull duo were unbeatable in the Ardennes. Red Bull also gets a 10 from Marca."They drive in a different league, know how to improve the car every race and don't make any procedural or strategic mistakes. Two wins in a row from outside the top-nine on the grid says it all. Ten wins in total so far, including four one-twos..."

Verstappen gets a 9, although it is not entirely clear where the improvement still lay for the Dutchman. "He is flying towards his second consecutive world title with a lead of more than three races [in terms of points] in the World Championship with eight races to go. He started fourteenth without any nerves and within eighteen laps he was leading."

At Ferrari, things were again not going smoothly, it was noted. A 4 is given to the Italians. "There is a lack of confidence, even in radio communication, consultation with the driver, who questions the engineer. And was it so necessary to stop Leclerc for a measly point?", refers to the extra pit stop to claim the extra World Championship point for the fastest lap.

L'Equipe - France

The French are usually a bit critical of Verstappen and Red Bull, but in Belgium, they cannot help but give the Austrian team a 10. The RB18 was incredibly dominant and with Verstappen behind the wheel it's almost a frightening combination. "The reigning world champion showed once again that he is not afraid of a reversed grid. At the end of July Verstappen won in Hungary from tenth on the grid and a month later he repeated this trick."

France's biggest newspaper goes on to write, "The Dutchman had an excellent start on soft tyres and had no trouble getting rid of all his rivals. He even overtook pole-sitter Carlos Sainz when he came through the pit lane for the first time on lap 12. The Spaniard regained the lead when "Mad Max" also stopped to change tyres three laps later. However, after lap eighteen the fun was really over for Sainz."

The Sun - Great Britain

In the UK they write: "Max Verstappen has this all wrapped up - and we still have eight races to go. If there was a dark cloud hanging over his maiden F1 world title - won at the controversial Abu Dhabi GP last December - there is simply nothing but brilliance about his performances this season."

The 24-year-old driver was not only supreme on Sunday, a day earlier he also showed he was elusive. "He smashed qualifying on Saturday - only to be bumped down to 14th on the grid due to engine and gearbox penalties. But it took him just 12 laps on Sunday to get to the front - three of which were run behind the safety car - and 15 laps to claim the outright lead."

Bild - Germany

In Germany, Bild writes: "Verstappen needed very little time for his mad pursuit à la Michael Schumacher at Spa in 1995. At the Belgian Grand Prix, the Dutchman had to start from 14th on the grid and drove easily to victory. Schumi had once won here in the rain from sixteenth on the grid and crowned himself 'rain god'. Verstappen is now (almost) managing to do the same."