Il Japanese Grand Prix confirmed that Red Bull is not in difficulty but rather its second driver, Sergio Perez, fresh from a disastrous weekend. Despite the Mexican's out, the team managed to bring home its sixth constructors' title in a special race for Honda. Much of this feat comes from Max Verstappen. His solo victory, combined with a lackluster Mercedes, and a surprising McLaren, took home the title for the second year in a row. As early as the Sprint next race weekend in Qatar, Max could win the third drivers' title of his career. The weekend in Suzuka also confirmed a progressive recovery of Ferrari, third force after Red Bull and McLaren. The Maranello team couldn't do more than this but compared to the start of the championship the progression is visible. Between retirements and first podiums let's see how the odds at Fanta F1 change!
Who rises in price at Fanta F1
Let's start to see how the prices at Fanta F1 change with the drivers rising in price by 1 credit.
Oscar Piastri: Oscar's value rises, with his first official podium in Formula 1 after the one obtained in the Sprint of the Belgian GP and the renewal which arrived before the race weekend. His debut season is going swimmingly. The weekend is almost perfect, he just pays for a last minute strategy due to a stop with the virtual perhaps too early. In fact, towards the end he was urged to leave the position to his faster teammate. Compared to the terrible results at the beginning of the season, not only Oscar but also McLaren has grown a lot. A sign that development can truly make a difference. From a driver like this we can also expect nice surprises at Fanta F1.
Updated quotation: 16 Masi.
Land Norris: Lando Norris achieved his second consecutive podium at Suzuka. Two second places, demonstrating that the Englishman responds with top-level performances when there are opportunities. McLaren is experiencing perhaps its best moment in years. Lando has conquered almost half of podiums of his career this season. He is currently at four, as in 2021. Who knows if he will be able to further improve his personal best. From the premises it seems so.
Updated quotation: 22 Masi.
Kevin Magnussen: To conclude, we have also decided to raise the price of K-MAG which has always had a positive score in recent races, thanks to the last place bonus. This takes talent too, otherwise you'd always end up like Sargeant.
Updated quotation: 13 Masi
Who gets off
Instead, let's now see the three drivers who dropped in Fanta F1 prices after the Japanese GP, losing 1 credit.
Sergio Perez: “He who has teeth does not have bread and he who has bread does not have teeth” says the proverb to remind us that life is sometimes unfair, as is Formula 1. The Mexican's performances are disappointing given the potential that the machine and that perhaps others would be able to exploit. Perez manages to make the RB19 a creature that is far too attackable and docile. Compared to Max Verstappen he does not realize the potential of the car and therefore doubts continue to arise about his actual talent. In defense he gets by but very often to make up for mistakes he perhaps launches into suicidal missions against low-ranking teams, without waiting for the nature of his RB19 to take its course by regaining positions step by step. Too impulsive.
Updated quotation: 32 Masi
Valtteri Bottas: This is Valtteri's second consecutive retirement and this time he lets himself be fooled by distraction. He ruins Albon's race and as a token he is repaid in the same coin by the Thai's teammate, Sargeant who definitively puts an end to the suffering of all the fantasy managers who had lined up Bottas. His average risks falling drastically and therefore his price also falls.
Updated quotation: 14 Masi
Logan Sargeant: At this rate, perhaps at the end of the season, if it gets there, we will find 1 under the "quote" heading relating to Sargeant. One of the darkest weekends since he joined Formula 1, a deadly all-in between accidents, penalties and retirements that can't help but force us down.
Updated quotation: 10 Masi
