PADDOCK INSIDER: Verstappen’s point to prove in Suzuka, the battle for a Red Bull seat and Tsunoda’s charge

Suzuka is becoming a pivotal event for Max Verstappen. He arrived here in 2022 knowing he could win his second championship – and he got the job done.

In 2023, he arrived laser focused on bouncing back after seeing his record-breaking run of 10 consecutive wins come to an end at the previous race in Singapore courtesy of former team mate Carlos Sainz – and he got the job done with his most crushing performance of the season.