Verstappen 'would have liked' sterner title challenge from Ferrari
Friday, 30 September 2022
The Scuderia have failed to challenge in 2022.
Max Verstappen suggested he would have liked to see Ferrari take the Formula One® title fight to the wire ahead of his first opportunity to seal consecutive championships.
Verstappen could retain the drivers' championship at Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix, although it appears an unlikely prospect as he requires both Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc to post poor finishes.
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Nevertheless, it appears to be a matter of time before Verstappen clinches his second crown, with Ferrari's issues with reliability and strategy costing Leclerc the chance to compete.
Verstappen holds a 119-point lead over Leclerc at the top of the standings after winning each of the last five races, and the Dutchman says he would have relished a closer battle.
"I mean, [there are] two sides. Yes, in one way, I would have liked them to still be in the fight," he said on Thursday.
"But from my side, of course it's also nice to win it in a more calm way.
"I think what is good to see is that they are very competitive this year compared to the last few years, and I think that's what F1® needed."
👋 Singapore
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) September 29, 2022
Happy to be back 😁#SingaporeGP pic.twitter.com/3sGD9RJeQc
