Max Verstappen`s commanding victory at the Japanese Grand Prix, marking his fourth consecutive win at Suzuka, was hailed by Red Bull team principal Christian Horner as one of the driver`s most exceptional performances. Verstappen started from pole position and maintained his lead throughout the race on Sunday.
Despite McLaren`s strong pace this season, Verstappen showcased his world-class talent, extracting maximum performance from his RB21. Horner emphasized Verstappen`s flawless execution, especially with the closely chasing McLarens.
“Knowing McLaren`s speed, Max had to be absolutely perfect with fast McLarens just behind him. He drove 53 laps without a single error,” Horner commented to reporters.
Horner highlighted the team`s setup adjustments and Verstappen`s collaboration with engineers, resulting in a car that enabled his stunning qualifying lap and subsequent race victory. This win narrows Verstappen`s gap in the driver`s championship to just one point.
Verstappen expressed his satisfaction with the win but acknowledged the need for further improvements to contend for a fifth world title. He stated, “We still have work to do and limitations. To fight for the title, we need more.”
While Verstappen is closing in on the drivers` championship lead, Red Bull currently holds third place in the manufacturer standings, trailing McLaren by 50 points and Mercedes by 14.
Regarding Yuki Tsunoda, Horner acknowledged his home race performance after being instated as the second driver for the team. Tsunoda finished 12th, and Horner believes a better qualifying session could have led to a higher finish and points.
“He provided valuable feedback and is integrating well into the team. We anticipate his performance to improve in the upcoming races,” Horner added.
Horner expressed particular delight in securing victory at Suzuka, a circuit operated by Honda, Red Bull`s engine partner, especially in their final year of collaboration. He emphasized the motivational boost this win provides to the entire team as they head to Bahrain for the next race.
“This is a significant victory, especially here in Japan, racing with Honda. Winning is the greatest motivator, injecting fantastic energy into the entire team,” Horner concluded.
Dominic Ashworth