There, for the first time this year, Red Bull were off the pace and looked ordinary. Verstappen’s record-breaking run of 10 consecutive wins came to an end, as did Red Bull’s sequence of winning every grand prix this year. Verstappen’s weekend in Japan – as so many times this year – contrasted heavily with that of team-mate Sergio Perez. When Perez won his two races early in the season, Verstappen was a close second. “Coming into the season,” Horner said, “I don’t think we could have ever dreamt of having a year like this. “We have the same gearbox on the car as last year], we have the same chassis largely as last year. “What Red Bull and Max are doing is just phenomenal,” Stella said.

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