RB21 still needs solutions despite “special” Japan GP pole

Max Verstappen has stated Crimson Bull has not mounted its troublesome Components 1 automotive regardless of taking a shocking Japanese Grand Prix pole that he referred to as considered one of his most interesting profession laps.

The four-time world champion was bidding for his fourth consecutive pole at Suzuka, however steadiness points together with his 2025 Crimson Bull automotive mixed with McLaren’s dominant type seemed set to finish that streak.

However after not making a lot of an affect all through qualifying, Verstappen suddenly pulled a stunning final Q3 lap out of the bag to defeat Lando Norris by 0.012 seconds and Oscar Piastri by 0.044s, his pole lap of 1m26.983s half a second faster than he had managed in Q2.

Verstappen roared in jubilation on his staff radio after his shock pole and hailed it as considered one of his finest ever laps in an F1 automotive.

“There was quite a lot of happiness after I crossed the road,” the Dutchman stated. “We simply tried to maintain enhancing our scenario a bit. I used to be totally dedicated all over the place.

“I’ve had some very nice poles somewhere else however in case you have a look at how our season began it was a shock and that makes it a really particular one.

“On the exit of Flip 1 into 2, six, seven, eight after which Spoon it was like: “Nicely I hope it is going to stick’. However it did and after I crossed the road I might see my title pop up.

“I additionally knew that Oscar was nonetheless behind me, however I used to be already simply very pleased with what I did there as a result of I did not count on to be even shut. In order that was a pleasant second.”

Nonetheless, Verstappen cautioned that his pole lap flattered the Crimson Bull RB21 and that his automotive’s dealing with points are nonetheless current.

“It was quite a bit higher than Friday however the through-corner steadiness continues to be what we have to work on,” he defined.

“On low gas over one lap you may masks some bits a bit bit, however I nonetheless do not go into the lap totally assured and comfy. So the final time I used to be like: ‘Nicely, I am simply going to ship it in and see what we get.’

“It is very uncommon {that a} lap like that may stick, however this time it labored properly. However we all know that we now have some points that we need to resolve; it is clearly not straightforward to unravel them in the intervening time.”