Max Verstappen in Japan: “It won’t be a walk in the park” / Formula 1

Third place in a row for champion Max Verstappen at the Suzuka Circuit. It is clear that the Red Bull Racing star will make it his third win at the traditional Japanese track on April 7.

But the World Championship leader does not believe that his 57th GP victory is already complete, as he emphasized in the paddock at the Suzuka Circuit: “Our race simulation was good, nothing more. Overall, I did not feel good with the car as the end- other weeks.”

“I wasn’t happy with the car in race trim, we weren’t fast enough. Then we changed the lot a bit. How strong we will be in the Grand Prix is ​​a question mark for me.”

Ferrari was disappointed in the final practice of the Japan Grand Prix: Australian winner Carlos Sainz in fourth place on the grid, Monegasque Charles Leclerc only eighth. Verstappen says: “We have to be careful. Because Ferrari’s endurance in the third training session was very competitive.

“McLaren was also good in the simulation of the race. In conclusion I would say – we are not as good as usual, but our rivals are giving a strong impression. It will not be a walk in the park for us.”

Is the World Cup leader worried that the brakes could play him wrong like in Australia? “No. We have changed some processes to make sure everything is fine. When you work with these race cars and make changes, you are always under pressure. We are not pointing the finger at anyone here, it is about improving the control systems to prevent such a defect in the day future.”

Qualification, Japan

01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:28,197 minutes
02. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, 1:28.263
03. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, 1:28.489
04. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, 1:28.682
05. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, 1:28.686
06. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, 1:28.760
07. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, 1:28,766
08. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, 1:28,786
09. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, 1:29,008
10. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, 1:29,413
11. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bull, 1:39.472
12. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, 1:29.494
13. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Sauber, 1:29.593
14. Alex Albon (T), Williams, 1:29,714
15. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, 1:29,816
16. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, 1:30,024
17. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, 1:30,119
18. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, 1:30.131
19. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, 1:30,139
20. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, 1:30,143