‘Penelope Might Feel as if She Brings Bad Luck’: Japanese GP Victory Was of Utmost Importance to Max Verstappen

“Penelope Might Feel as if She Brings Bad Luck”: Japanese GP Victory Was of Utmost Importance to Max Verstappen
Credits: IMAGO / PanoramiC and Kelly Piquet’s Instagram

Max Verstappen had a disastrous outing at the 2024 Australian Grand Prix after his car experienced brake heating issues. This prompted Penelope Kvyat, to ask him the reason for his retirement. To this, the Dutchman replied that his car was on fire. However, things were back to normal for Verstappen in Japan and this was of course, of utmost importance to him for Penelope’s sake.

Advertisement

Penelope, also known as P, the daughter of Kelly Piquet, is often known for her lovely cameos during Verstappen’s simulation racing streams back at home, but this time she was present in Melbourne for the race, where the Red Bull star had his first retirement in 44 races.

Now, coming into Suzuka, the 26-year-old is glad that he did not have to retire early, that too in front of P, again. Penelope traveled with her mother Kelly to Suzuka to witness the race. In the end, she succeeded in seeing the Dutchman on the top step of the podium, and this was a big relief for the three-time world champion, to say the least.

Advertisement

Explaining the ordeal, Verstappen said in an interview with Viaplay after the Suzuka International Racing Course race, “I think Kelly’s glad nothing happened today, because otherwise of course she [Penelope] might feel as if she brings bad luck!”

Following this, Verstappen also pointed out that it was beautiful to see P underneath the podium after his seamless victory at Suzuka, where he claimed his third win of the season so far.

Well, this is a part everyone can agree with, seeing the little P happy, to be fair. But moving on, the race win might have been crucial for Verstappen, and Piquet, but most importantly it was for Red Bull. The Milton Keynes team needed this victory to keep their hold on the championship lead.

Advertisement

How important was the win in Japan for Max Verstappen and Red Bull?

After a forgettable journey to Australia where Max Verstappen had to retire early, and Sergio Perez barely managing P5, this blockbuster return to the top was absolutely a necessity for Red Bull.

As the Austrian team stumbled, Ferrari saw the opportunity and claimed their first 1-2 finish in two years in Melbourne and reduced their gap to the defending champions to just 4 points in the Constructors’. Carlos Sainz‘s win and Charles Leclerc’s P2 also brought the Prancing Horse forward as a genuine threat to Verstappen and Co.

However, the front row lockout in the Japanese GP qualifying and an equally good 1-2 finish in the race shifted the momentum back in Red Bull’s favor.

For now, the Milton-Keynes-based team are absolute favorites to take home the 2024 Constructors’ Championship, but they still need to keep Ferrari under check on tracks like Monaco and Singapore where the Scarlet cars could be relatively faster in low-speed corners.

Related Posts

Sergio Perez Now Faces a Significant New Obstacle in His Bid to Secure a Seat with Cadillac for the 2026 Formula 1 Season, Raising Doubts About His Future in the Sport as This Challenge Could Have Serious Implications for His Prospects in the Highly Competitive F1 World.

Sergio Perez would have been looking on at what’s happening at Red Bull Racing this week with great interest after losing his seat on the grid at…

Helmut Marko has issued an official statement regarding the future of Red Bull Racing, providing insights into the team’s plans following the shock removal of Christian Horner from his position. The decision has sent ripples throughout the Formula 1 world, and Marko’s comments aim to clarify Red Bull’s next moves.

Photo: © IMAGO Red Bull F1 advisor Helmut Marko has opened up on the team’s future following the shock dismissal of Christian Horner. Horner was removed from his…

The FIA’s Penalty Controversy That Cost Oscar Piastri a Well-Deserved Win: An In-Depth Look at the Decision That Shook the Racing World.

Lando Norris Triumphs at Silverstone, but Was Oscar Piastri’s 10-Second Penalty Fair? The 2025 British Grand Prix at Silverstone was a spectacle, with Lando Norris emerging victorious…

Christian Horner ‘Convinced’ Ferrari Move Depends on One Key Factor as Scuderia Targets Red Bull’s Ex-Chief.

Christian Horner might not have to wait long to receive offers to return to Formula 1 after Red Bull Racing sacked the Briton from his role as…

Ferrari Finally Opens Up About the Shocking and Unexpected Challenges Behind Their Struggles in Formula 1, Revealing the Complex Factors That Have Contributed to Their Ongoing Performance Issues, and What They Plan to Do to Overcome These Obstacles and Return to Their Former Glory in the F1 World.

Ferrari’s 2025 Formula 1 Season: The Road to Recovery The 2025 Formula 1 season has been a year of highs and lows for Scuderia Ferrari, with the…

The Surprising Impact of Christian Horner’s Red Bull Decision: Why George Russell May Lose the Most

The news that Red Bull Racing have parted ways with team principal Christian Horner took the Formula 1 world by surprise on Wednesday morning. Red Bull and Christian Horner are…