Red Bull’s weekend was under the microscope as they arrived at the race, with much of the attention focused on the changes in their driver lineup. While the switch primarily targeted the second driver’s seat, Max Verstappen also found himself in the spotlight.
Verstappen wasn’t pleased with the decision to let Liam Lawson go after just a couple of races. He had a good rapport with Lawson, recognized the talent he brought to the Racing Bulls car, and was confident the car’s performance issues weren’t dumping onto Lawson but were due to the vehicle itself.
The sentiment was an echo of how Verstappen felt when Sergio Perez was replaced at the previous season’s end. And with Red Bull still appearing to fall behind McLaren, it was understandable if Verstappen seemed frustrated by the existing situation.
However, instead of letting these frustrations get the better of him, Verstappen clarified that his personal feelings and the challenges of driving the RB21 didn’t directly impact each other.
In an interview with Sky Sports in China, Verstappen expressed his calm outlook regarding team patience, “I hear this all the time, but my stance remains the same,” he said. “I’m quite relaxed and feel positive about things. I’m enjoying life.”
“Every time I get into the car, my focus is on doing my best. I don’t let anything else cloud my mind, honestly, because I’m content with life both within and outside the car, and ultimately, that’s what matters most.”
For Verstappen, winning is what truly counts. On Saturday at Suzuka, he delivered a breathtaking qualifying lap that set the stage for him to strive for victory, and on Sunday, he seized that opportunity with full force.
Holding onto the lead right from the start, Verstappen consistently stayed ahead of the McLarens behind him, mastering the pit stops and opening up just enough of a gap anytime Lando Norris tried to close in with DRS.
The compliments poured in, with his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase describing it as “perfection,” and team principal Christian Horner declaring it “one of Max’s best weekends.” While such high praise does mean a lot to the four-time world champion, his actions to earn that admiration speak louder.
“It’s an indication of how much I care, even though our start to the year hasn’t been the easiest,” Verstappen commented. “We aren’t where we want performance-wise, and that’s no secret.”
“This weekend, however, was a real pleasure. Sometimes you have those magic moments when things come together beautifully, and the car’s balance improved significantly during qualifying.”
Verstappen added, “We need to keep pushing. While the praise is nice, I don’t let it distract me. I stay focused, working hard, and keeping an even keel.”
This mindset allowed Verstappen to help shift the focus from the potentially negative aspects of Red Bull’s driver handling to the more celebratory notes of Honda’s finale at the Japanese Grand Prix.
To Honda, the 27-year-old is already a legend for the four championships he’s won with their power units, and securing victory at Suzuka in a tribute livery only deepens their admiration for him.
“It’s very significant to me,” Verstappen shared. “I kept it in the back of my mind, especially during those final laps. Winning here as our last race with Honda was a nice storybook ending. I’m incredibly proud of all we’ve achieved over the years together. It’s a perfect farewell.”
“Yesterday was amazing for us,” he continued. “And following it with a win is simply fantastic. The relationship with Honda has been outstanding. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with them, witnessing their professionalism and dedication. They’ve offered so much, helping us win four drivers’ titles and two constructors’. It’s been incredible and truly unforgettable.”
“Winning here today, especially for Honda on their track, was a cherry on top. Maybe it provided that extra motivation to finish ahead. But it was a proper farewell, and I couldn’t ask for a better weekend,” Verstappen remarked.
Perhaps only seeing Tsunoda on the podium could have made Honda’s last 24 hours even better, but for Red Bull, Verstappen’s focus remains on securing his fifth straight title.
Narrowing his gap to Lando Norris to just one point post-three races showcased that both Verstappen and the car could be formidable contenders even when not at full performance. The team certainly appreciates Verstappen’s ability to stand in the spotlight for his remarkable skills, drawing all the right attention as they head to Bahrain.
