Max Verstappen’s electrifying final lap at Suzuka left spectators and even his own team in awe, as he clinched pole position in a race that seemed to favor McLaren.
Throughout the weekend at the Japanese Grand Prix, McLaren appeared to have the upper hand with their MCL39, as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri dominated practice sessions and the initial qualifying rounds. Their cars consistently clocked the fastest times, setting the scene for what many predicted would be a McLaren showdown for pole position.
However, as the final moments of qualifying unfolded, Verstappen delivered a breathtaking lap time of 1:26.983, surpassing Norris by a mere 0.012 seconds, and leaving Piastri trailing by 0.044 seconds. Verstappen’s reaction over the team radio was one of sheer amazement, a sentiment echoed by his race engineer, GianPiero Lambiase, who called the effort ‘insane.’
Christian Horner, the Red Bull Team Principal, could barely contain his admiration for Verstappen’s performance. Despite not being the favorites, they managed to turn the tables thanks to a combination of team effort and Verstappen’s skill. Horner explained that the strategy involved meticulous preparation, with the engineering team fine-tuning the car’s setup and ensuring the tires were in optimal condition. He remarked that Verstappen extracted every ounce of performance, leading to a result that defied expectations.
Red Bull had been lagging half a second behind on Friday, but the improvements made to the RB21 over the sessions allowed Verstappen to fiercely contend for pole. Horner highlighted the efforts of Verstappen’s engineers, who ‘turned the car upside down’ over the course of the weekend, adapting the setup to suit the demands of Suzuka’s challenging circuit.
On paper, McLaren’s car was definitively quicker, with data suggesting a slight pace advantage. Nevertheless, they failed to capitalize on this in the decisive moments, whereas Verstappen left nothing unchecked in his pursuit of the pole. According to Horner, having a capable car under him was crucial, yet it was Verstappen’s relentless effort during practice that truly made the difference.
Despite battles with the handling of his RB21, which was known to be tricky to drive, Verstappen showed that the car had more potential than initially perceived. Horner underscored the importance of having a vehicle that could meet such demands, while also crediting Verstappen’s dedication and hard work behind the scenes.
In a stunning turn of events at Suzuka, Max Verstappen demonstrated that with perseverance and teamwork, even the seemingly impossible can be achieved. His unexpected pole position serves as a testament to his driving prowess and the strategic ingenuity of the Red Bull team.
