The Dutchman’s early season has been, to put it mildly, miserable.
Max Verstappen is no longer frustrated because, according to his own words, he is already over that feeling. EPA / AOP
Score
1. Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
2. George Russell, Mercedes
3. Oscar Piastri, McLaren
4. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
5. Lando Norris, McLaren
6. Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
7. Pierre Gasly, Alpine
8. Isack Hadjar, Red Bull
9. Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi
10. Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
11. Max Verstappen, Red Bull
12. Esteban Ocon, Haas
13. Nico Hülkeneberg, Audi
14. Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
15. Franco Colapinto, Alpine
16. Carlos Sainz, Williams
17. Alex Albon, Williams
18. Oliver Bearman, Haas
19. Sergio Perez, Cadillac
20. Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac
21. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
22. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin
Max Verstappen took a hard hit on the head after qualifying for the Japanese GP.
The four-time world champion had grabbed the pole position in Suzuka in the previous four years, but now the game ended already in the Q2 section. The starting square was 11.
It didn’t make the man smile.
– This is not fun. I’m not frustrated because I’ve already moved on from that feeling. I don’t know what word to describe this situation anymore, Verstappen told Viaplay For Mervi Kallio.
– I’m trying my best, but no matter what we try, well…we have a lot of problems at the moment.
Verstappen is used to fighting for pole positions, not for entry into the top ten.
The whole early season has been difficult. Red Bull is far from top speed. At the moment, the team can hardly call its fleet the fourth best in the series.
– Of course, I have been in a situation before where I had to fight behind the front. But it’s not fun.
At the moment, Red Bull’s fleet is helplessly uncompetitive. It pisses off Verstappen.
– The car is not good to drive. It behaves unpredictably in some places. On a track like this, that’s something you don’t want.
What could be done about it, Kallio asked.
– We have problems that require repairs. But I can’t talk about them here. It is difficult, Verstappen said.
