Verstappen: Red Bull hasn't solved F1 car woes despite "special" Japan pole

[ASFN Admin]

You must be registered for see images attach

Motorsport photo

Max Verstappen has said Red Bull has not fixed its troublesome Formula 1 car despite taking a stunning Japanese Grand Prix pole that he called one of his finest career laps.

The four-time world champion was bidding for his fourth consecutive pole at Suzuka, but balance issues with his 2025 Red Bull car combined with McLaren's dominant form looked set to end that streak.

But after not making much of an impact throughout qualifying, Verstappen suddenly pulled a stunning final Q3 lap out of the bag to defeat Lando Norris by 0.012 seconds and Oscar Piastri by 0.044s, his pole lap of 1m26.983s half a second quicker than he had managed in Q2.

Verstappen roared in jubilation on his team radio after his surprise pole and hailed it as one of his best ever laps in an F1 car.

"There was a lot of happiness when I crossed the line," the Dutchman said. "We just tried to keep improving our situation a bit. I was fully committed everywhere.

"I've had some really nice poles in other places but if you look at how our season started it was a surprise and that makes it a very special one.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing​

You must be registered for see images attach

Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingSam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

"On the exit of Turn 1 into 2, six, seven, eight and then Spoon it was like: "Well I hope it's going to stick'. But it did and when I crossed the line I could see my name pop up.

"I also knew that Oscar was still behind me, but I was already just very happy with what I did there because I didn't expect to be even close, so that was a nice moment."

However, Verstappen cautioned that his pole lap flattered the Red Bull RB21 and that his car's handling issues are still present.

"It was a lot better than Friday but the through corner balance is still what we need to work on," he explained.

"On low fuel over one lap some bits you can mask a little bit, but I still don't go into the lap fully confident and comfortable. So the last time I was like: 'Well, I'm just going to send it in and see what we get.'

"It's very rare that a lap like that can stick, but this time it worked well. But we know that we have some issues that we want to solve; it's clearly not easy to solve them at the moment."

Photos from Japanese GP - Practice & Qualifying​

Pierre Gasly, Alpine​

You must be registered for see images attach

Pierre Gasly, AlpineSam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari​

You must be registered for see images attach

Lewis Hamilton, FerrariMark Sutton / Motorsport Images

Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team​

You must be registered for see images attach

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamPeter Fox - Getty Images

Peter Fox - Getty Images

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team​

You must be registered for see images attach

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamPeter Fox - Getty Images

Peter Fox - Getty Images

Alexander Albon, Williams​

You must be registered for see images attach

Alexander Albon, WilliamsJayce Illman - Getty Images

Jayce Illman - Getty Images

Fans of Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team​

You must be registered for see images attach

Fans of Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing TeamPeter Fox - Getty Images

Peter Fox - Getty Images

Isack Hadjar, Racing bulls Team​

You must be registered for see images attach

Isack Hadjar, Racing bulls TeamKym Illman (Getty Images)

Kym Illman (Getty Images)

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team​

You must be registered for see images attach

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing TeamMark Thompson - Getty Images

Mark Thompson - Getty Images

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari​

You must be registered for see images attach

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing​

You must be registered for see images attach

Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingMark Sutton / Motorsport Images

Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

The Suzuka Circuit entrance​

You must be registered for see images attach

The Suzuka Circuit entrance Kym Illman (Getty Images)

Kym Illman (Getty Images)

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team​

You must be registered for see images attach

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing TeamMark Sutton / Motorsport Images

Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing​

You must be registered for see images attach

Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingMark Thompson - Getty Images

Mark Thompson - Getty Images

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team​

You must be registered for see images attach

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamPeter Fox - Getty Images

Peter Fox - Getty Images

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari​

You must be registered for see images attach

Charles Leclerc, FerrariToshifumi Kitamura - AFP - Getty Images

Toshifumi Kitamura - AFP - Getty Images

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team​

You must be registered for see images attach

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls TeamRudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images

Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images

Andrea Stella, McLaren​

You must be registered for see images attach

Andrea Stella, McLarenKym Illman (Getty Images)

Kym Illman (Getty Images)

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes​

You must be registered for see images attach

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesKym Illman (Getty Images)

Kym Illman (Getty Images)

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber​

You must be registered for see images attach

Gabriel Bortoleto, SauberAndy Hone / Motorsport Images

Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari​

You must be registered for see images attach

Lewis Hamilton, FerrariMark Sutton / Motorsport Images

Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls​

You must be registered for see images attach

Liam Lawson, Racing BullsRudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images

Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images

Jack Doohan, Alpine​

You must be registered for see images attach

Jack Doohan, AlpineSam Bagnall / Motorsport Images

Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images

Antonio Giovinazzi, Reserve Driver, Scuderia Ferrari​

You must be registered for see images attach

Antonio Giovinazzi, Reserve Driver, Scuderia FerrariMark Sutton / Motorsport Images

Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

Jack Doohan, Alpine​

You must be registered for see images attach

Jack Doohan, AlpineMark Sutton / Motorsport Images

Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes​

You must be registered for see images attach

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesBryn Lennon - Formula 1

Bryn Lennon - Formula 1

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing​

You must be registered for see images attach

Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingDavid Mareuil - Anadolu - Getty Images

David Mareuil - Anadolu - Getty Images

Carlos Sainz, Williams​

You must be registered for see images attach

Carlos Sainz, WilliamsBryn Lennon - Formula 1

Bryn Lennon - Formula 1

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing​

You must be registered for see images attach

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull RacingMark Thompson - Getty Images

Mark Thompson - Getty Images

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing​

You must be registered for see images attach

Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingPhilip Fong - AFP - Getty Images

Philip Fong - AFP - Getty Images

Oscar Piastri, McLaren​

You must be registered for see images attach

Oscar Piastri, McLarenZak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari​

You must be registered for see images attach

Charles Leclerc, FerrariToshifumi Kitamura - AFP - Getty Images

Toshifumi Kitamura - AFP - Getty Images

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing​

You must be registered for see images attach

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull RacingClive Mason - Getty Images

Clive Mason - Getty Images

Lando Norris, McLaren​

You must be registered for see images attach

Lando Norris, McLarenMark Thompson - Getty Images

Mark Thompson - Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes​

You must be registered for see images attach

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, MercedesToshifumi Kitamura - AFP - Getty Images

Toshifumi Kitamura - AFP - Getty Images

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari​

You must be registered for see images attach

Charles Leclerc, FerrariBryn Lennon - Formula 1

Bryn Lennon - Formula 1

George Russell, Mercedes​

You must be registered for see images attach

George Russell, MercedesZak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Cherry Blossom by the side of the track​

You must be registered for see images attach

Cherry Blossom by the side of the trackPeter Fox - Getty Images

Peter Fox - Getty Images

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari​

You must be registered for see images attach

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari David Mareuil - Anadolu - Getty Images

David Mareuil - Anadolu - Getty Images

Pierre Gasly, Alpine​

You must be registered for see images attach

Pierre Gasly, AlpineMark Sutton / Motorsport Images

Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

George Russell, Mercedes​

You must be registered for see images attach

George Russell, MercedesClive Mason - Getty Images

Clive Mason - Getty Images

Lando Norris, McLaren​

You must be registered for see images attach

Lando Norris, McLarenZak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing​

You must be registered for see images attach

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin RacingRudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images

Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images

Isack Hadjar, Racing bulls Team​

You must be registered for see images attach

Isack Hadjar, Racing bulls TeamMark Thompson - Getty Images

Mark Thompson - Getty Images

Lando Norris, McLaren​

You must be registered for see images attach

Lando Norris, McLarenToshifumi Kitamura - AFP - Getty Images

Toshifumi Kitamura - AFP - Getty Images

Oscar Piastri, McLaren​

You must be registered for see images attach

Oscar Piastri, McLarenJayce Illman - Getty Images

Jayce Illman - Getty Images

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari​

You must be registered for see images attach

Charles Leclerc, FerrariAndy Hone / Motorsport Images

Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

Fans fill a grandstand during final practice​

You must be registered for see images attach

Fans fill a grandstand during final practice Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

Carlos Sainz, Williams​

You must be registered for see images attach

Carlos Sainz, WilliamsMark Thompson - Getty Images

Mark Thompson - Getty Images

Jack Doohan, Alpine​

You must be registered for see images attach

Jack Doohan, AlpineMark Sutton / Motorsport Images

Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

A track marshal waters down the dried out grass along the side of the track​

You must be registered for see images attach

A track marshal waters down the dried out grass along the side of the trackToshifumi Kitamura - AFP - Getty Images

Toshifumi Kitamura - AFP - Getty Images

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing​

You must be registered for see images attach

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingZak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing​

You must be registered for see images attach

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingPeter Fox - Getty Images

Peter Fox - Getty Images

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber​

You must be registered for see images attach

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, SauberZak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

Polesitter Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing​

You must be registered for see images attach

Polesitter Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingAndy Hone / Motorsport Images

Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing​

You must be registered for see images attach

Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingKym Illman (Getty Images)

Kym Illman (Getty Images)

Jack Doohan, Alpine​

You must be registered for see images attach

Jack Doohan, AlpineJayce Illman - Getty Images

Jayce Illman - Getty Images

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari​

You must be registered for see images attach

Charles Leclerc, FerrariJayce Illman - Getty Images

Jayce Illman - Getty Images

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team​

You must be registered for see images attach

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamKym Illman (Getty Images)

Kym Illman (Getty Images)

Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing​

You must be registered for see images attach

Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingBryn Lennon - Formula 1

Bryn Lennon - Formula 1

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls​

You must be registered for see images attach

Isack Hadjar, Racing BullsJayce Illman - Getty Images

Jayce Illman - Getty Images

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari​

You must be registered for see images attach

Charles Leclerc, FerrariSam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing​

You must be registered for see images attach

Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingBryn Lennon - Formula 1

Bryn Lennon - Formula 1

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls​

You must be registered for see images attach

Liam Lawson, Racing BullsBryn Lennon - Formula 1

Bryn Lennon - Formula 1

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing​

You must be registered for see images attach

Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingBryn Lennon - Formula 1

Bryn Lennon - Formula 1

Continue reading...