Max Verstappen delivered a flawless performance at Suzuka, giving Red Bull and Honda a well-deserved victory in Japan’s thrilling race.
Red Bull Racing could not have asked for a better weekend in Japan, with Verstappen claiming pole and securing the win.
Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, was quick to praise the Dutch driver for his outstanding performance.
Verstappen showed his dominance, driving the white RB21 in tribute to Honda in front of the Japanese crowd—a fitting gesture for the manufacturer.
“Max was absolutely exceptional this weekend,” said Horner. “The toughest part was done yesterday, but he was flawless in the race. It’s great for us and for Honda here at Suzuka.”
“We raced with the Honda livery to thank them for the incredible partnership we’ve had. It’s worth noting that there are still 21 races ahead, but winning here in Japan is a huge result and a perfect way to show our appreciation.”
“McLaren was quick, but we managed to be faster and keep them behind us.”
“Max really pushed the car’s tires to the limit to stay ahead. We worked hard to give him a car that he could make the most of. He’s like our Motivator-in-Chief.”
Horner also highlighted encouraging signs for Red Bull’s second driver, even though he didn’t finish in the points.
“Yuki Tsunoda has adapted perfectly to the car and the team. He should continue to progress in the upcoming races.”
“He made a great pass, and we did the undercut on Pierre Gasly. His pace was good, and he stayed in Fernando Alonso’s slipstream during the second stint. The qualifying result determined the final outcome, but he provided valuable feedback and integrated well.”
Horner also gave a nod to Isack Hadjar for his impressive performance and Liam Lawson’s speed.
“Congrats to Isack Hadjar for a fantastic showing today, and it was great to see Liam Lawson show his pace as well.”
Despite the success, Horner acknowledged that winning the Constructors’ Championship again will be a tough challenge.
“Our priority is the Drivers’ Championship. The Constructors’ will be more difficult, but the season is long, and we never give up. We need both cars working well, and we have to get Yuki into the rhythm quickly. But today, it was Max against the McLarens.”
“It’s a marathon, and things can change. It’s all about maximizing opportunities, and that’s exactly what we did this weekend.”
“It’s been one of Max’s best weekends.”
“Max is undoubtedly the best driver in the world right now, but we are a team, not just a single driver. Winning is a real motivator for us.”
However, Horner conceded that the RB21 isn’t quite as consistent and balanced as they’d like in the short term.
“We know this car has flaws, and we know where we need to improve. We didn’t make the front wing adjustments we would have liked, but Max worked with his engineers to improve the car—it’s a team effort.”
“We weren’t fooled by McLaren’s bluff either. Stopping early didn’t make sense because they would have ended up in traffic. After they pitted Oscar first, it was clear they’d pit Lando next. And this weekend, both of our lead mechanics were unwell and stayed in the UK. We had reserve mechanics, so the pit stop wasn’t as smooth, and Lando took advantage. But he was never close to Max, so the marshals made the right decision.”
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Verstappen’s Masterclass Secures Red Bull’s Suzuka Win Verstappen’s Masterclass Secures Red Bull’s Suzuka Win