In the aftermath of an exhilarating race at Suzuka, three top drivers shared their experiences and strategies during the track interviews and press conference. The conversation kicked off with third-place finisher Oscar Piastri, who, despite clinching his twelfth career podium, acknowledged that his fate was largely determined during the qualifying rounds.
“Yes, correct,” Piastri admitted. “Our pace today was fantastic, but track position is everything here. Yesterday was crucial, and I didn’t perform as well as I could have, but there are a lot of positives to take from this weekend.”
When asked about his early pit stop, Piastri explained it was more about staying ahead of the field rather than forcing Red Bull’s strategy. “I was struggling on the Medium tires, and we were already in the window for a stop,” he said. Discussing team dynamics, Piastri touched on the radio conversations about overtaking Lando Norris. “I felt strong and wanted to challenge Max, but when you qualify behind, it limits your options,” Piastri reflected.
Lando Norris, who finished second, also shared insights on his race. “It was a flat-out race,” Norris recounted. “We just couldn’t catch Max. He made no errors, and his pace was too close to ours to make a move.” Norris praised his team’s pit stop performance but acknowledged their strategy needed refinement. “We’re aiming for wins every weekend, but with Red Bull’s progress, we need to work harder.”
The Grand Prix winner, Max Verstappen, described the race as challenging from start to finish. “The McLaren guys kept pushing me hard, especially during the second stint,” he said. “Starting on pole was crucial, and we managed to hold on to that.” Verstappen emphasized the importance of maximizing performance, acknowledging McLaren’s recent edge over his own team’s car.
Reflecting on his fourth consecutive victory in Japan, Verstappen expressed his fondness for the track, which aligns with his lasting affiliation with Honda. “It’s a special place. It felt right to win here in what was our final race together with Honda,” he shared.
During the press conference, Verstappen’s victory was described as “perfection” by his race engineer—an assessment Verstappen seemed to agree with. “It was a fun race, especially with the two McLarens close behind. The cooler track helped manage the tires better,” he recalled. Despite the pressure, he maintained that the weekend’s success started with his pole position on Saturday.
Asked about his thoughts as the race unfolded, Verstappen admitted, “With about five laps to go, I felt secure. The tires were holding up, so it was just about avoiding mistakes from there.”
Meanwhile, Norris reflected on their pit strategy, acknowledging room for improvement. “We probably should have tried to run longer or maybe even undercut,” he conceded. But with racing, nothing is ever so straightforward.
Piastri shared his reflections on the weekend, citing the crucial role of qualifying in determining race outcomes. “Qualifying has always been important,” he noted. “This track makes passing difficult, so starting position can dictate everything.”
Questions from the media highlighted their perception of Verstappen’s outstanding performance. While Max emphasized a balanced approach to both praise and critique, Norris reiterated his long-standing respect for Verstappen’s capabilities.
As the three drivers pondered the championship fight ahead, they all seemed to recognize the endurance challenge of the season. “It’s a long year, and anything can happen,” Verstappen said, encapsulating the mindset required to pursue a title across numerous races and varying tracks.
Overall, it was a weekend filled with strategic calculation, high-speed drama, and a reminder of just how finely balanced the top teams are. For Max, Lando, and Oscar, Suzuka was more than just another race—it was a showcase of skill, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of racing perfection.
