Damon Hill has predicted a “big test” for the field to match Max Verstappen and Red Bull at Suzuka this weekend, despite Ferrari having won last time out in Australia.
Verstappen was dominant in Japan last season, taking pole
position by over half a second and easing to victory in one of his most
commanding wins of the year – and with the RB20 having flown off the line in
Verstappen’s hands this time around, he goes into the weekend as hot favourite
to get back to the top step of the podium.
‘Ferrari need to beat Max Verstappen in a straight race’
Ferrari appeared to be on Red Bull’s pace in Australia last
time out, even before Verstappen’s unfortunate retirement following a
rear-right issue.
With that, Hill hopes to see the front two teams go
head-to-head in a straight fight to see where they stand, but with Suzuka
presenting tough challenges through its high-degradation, tough layout, he
believes Verstappen will be favourite for pole position once again.
