Verstappen’s dominance looms large for F1 in battle to keep audience engaged

Max Verstappen heads up to the podium in Suzuka in front of a large image of himself after winning Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images

Formula One will consider the new timing of the Japanese Grand Prix a success, moving from its traditional late-season slot to an earlier date amid the cherry blossom of spring. But the result in Suzuka, and reaction to it, might have senior F1 executives feeling a little more nervous about the rest of the season.

This year is scheduled to be the longest ever F1 championship, a 24-race haul that does not conclude until early December in Abu Dhabi. So it will be concerning that as early as race four, won by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the world championship is already being written off as a done deal by Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal.