International media: 'Verstappen booked Championship like it's a holiday'

Corriere della Sera

"Super Max drove another race in pursuit of an already booked championship, almost as if it were a planned holiday. He controls the situation by talking to his engineer and he informs Red Bull Racing about small problems that would be true nightmares for his opponents. When his supremacy is challenged only in theory by the strategies of others - for example, by the tenacious and combative Charles Leclerc, who bravely pushes his first set of tyres to the limit and drives a few laps at the front - Verstappen is not worried."

"It's still Carlos Sainz, with a resignation in his pocket, triumphing over Leclerc, his teammate with the regular spot at Ferrari. For now, he is enjoying the podium behind Verstappen and his teammate - harmless for the umpteenth time - Sergio Perez," writes Italy's Corriere della Sera.

Marca

Spain's Marca sees hope in Ferrari's performance, both in terms of race pace and strategy. "Ferrari seems to have made a turnaround. Not only does it have a very fast and efficient car in fast and average corners, but it also adapts to others' strategies and is able to beat cars that are faster over one lap, as was the case with McLaren this weekend."

"Moreover, they have unlearned the old habit of favouring Leclerc by decree, because they have understood that Sainz is in top form. They want to take advantage of that to launch an attack on the Constructors' World Championship and who knows... Carlos is already fourth on just four points behind Leclerc, despite having driven one less race."

Bild

Bild also saw another dominant 'superstar' Verstappen in the Japan GP. The German newspaper also noted that Perez did his job by finishing second, increasing the margin between Verstappen and the number three in the championship.

"A situation Mercedes can only dream of at the moment," the newspaper writes. "George Russell finished seventh, teammate Lewis Hamilton ninth. This was made possible by the seven-time world champion himself!" By this, Bild is referring to Hamilton's suggestion to let his teammate pass him during the race. It later emerged that Hamilton thought he had a problem and therefore wanted to swap with Russell.

The Guardian

"Max Verstappen shone in the spring sunshine of the Japanese Grand Prix’s new early season slot with a victory that served as salutary reminder he is firmly on course for his fourth world championship, and on this form he looks all but unstoppable," British newspaper The Guardian concluded.

"This was business as usual for Verstappen, and with a decidedly ominous air. Four races of a record 24‑race season have been completed, the remaining 20 stretch long into the year and whereas for Verstappen this will have the pleasing trappings of a victory march, or a nice stroll as he might prefer it, it looks like something of a long old slog for his rivals."