Verstappen favourite in Japan, but watch out for McLaren and Ferrari

For a lot of drivers, the annual visit to Japan's Suzuka is one of the highlights of the Formula 1 season. The circuit with its super-fast corners is one to savour. It is also the track where Max Verstappen has been (by far) the strongest over the past two seasons. His Red Bull Racing RB20 seems made for the characteristics of the Japanese circuit.

Two years ago, it was a true masterclass from Verstappen, in a rain-drenched Japanese Grand Prix. Due to heavy flooding, the race was shortened to just 28 laps, yet the Dutchman managed to cross the line with a 26-second lead over nearest chaser Charles Leclerc. Leclerc, incidentally, was later handed a five-second penalty.

Verstappen strong in dry and wet weather in Japan

Last season, it was dry at Suzuka, but again nobody was able to match the now three-time world champion's drive. McLaren still looked like a formidable competitor for Verstappen in qualifying, but they were unable to compete in the race. So it is safe to say: at this track, where steering and a good dose of guts are necessary, Verstappen is a fish out of water.

Especially after losing the last race in Australia, the Dutchman is a clear favourite to make it three in a row in Japan. After all, this is the type of track where Red Bull Racing's car usually excels. Moreover, there is a real chance of rain during Sunday's Grand Prix, a situation that Verstappen, more than any competitor, usually knows how to deal with just fine.

Ferrari as strong as in Melbourne?

Ferrari - who triumphed in Melbourne - had an extremely difficult time at Suzuka last year. Leclerc was the better of the two Scuderia drivers, but had to concede as much as 44 seconds to Verstappen. Teammate Sainz crossed the line six seconds after the Monegasque. Of course, the '24 Ferrari is a different and much better car. Whether it can beat Verstappen over a full Grand Prix distance is verse two.

McLaren drove to third place after Verstappen's failure in Australia at Albert Park and sees their form growing. The British team even seem to have surpassed Mercedes, which is embarrassing for the Germans, because they provide McLaren with power units. At least at Suzuka, McLaren seems a more than serious candidate to drive to the podium. Mercedes surely want that too, but that team are mostly battling with themself. After all the doom and gloom of the opening races, it would be startling if suddenly in Japan everything goes smoothly. Scoring a good number of points is probably what team boss Toto Wolff is signing up for in advance.

Tsunoda wants to shine in front of home crowd

In the backfield, attention will undoubtedly go to the Visa Cash App RB team, which has a home driver in Yuki Tsunoda who wants to blaze in front of his own crowd. The Japanese Grand Prix is sure to bring out something extra in him, where it is precisely teammate Daniel Ricciardo who could more than use a positive result. The Australian is reportedly in the New Zealand media to be in the kicking seat at VCARB, although this is denied by the team. On the other hand, it is no secret that the Red Bull teams sometimes leak something to the media in order to put a sucker driver extra on edge.

The latter certainly need not happen with Verstappen. After his unlucky day in Australia, all the ingredients are in place to drive to another dominant win at Suzuka.