Verstappen Edges Closer to Norris After Suzuka Triumph, Reflects on Mixed Fortunes
Max Verstappen closed the gap to Lando Norris in the championship standings to just one point following a dominant victory from pole at the Japanese Grand Prix two weeks ago.
However, the momentum didn’t carry into the following race in Sakhir, where Verstappen’s fortunes took a dip. He qualified seventh and finished behind Norris, who claimed a strong third-place finish on the podium.
Reflecting on the season so far, Verstappen said, “I just take it race by race. I think [Saudi Arabia] will suit us better than Bahrain. Beyond that, it’s out of my control.
“Right now, we’re not the fastest team, so it’s difficult to consistently challenge for the title. But the season is long. Last year, things looked promising early on, and we all saw how it ended.”
Red Bull were dominant in Jeddah last year, securing a one-two finish with Verstappen and teammate Sergio Perez. While Verstappen went on to secure his fourth consecutive world title, Red Bull lost their grip on the constructors’ championship, eventually slipping behind both McLaren and Ferrari to finish third.
“I really enjoyed racing last year and the year before when we were on top,” Verstappen admitted. “But now, there’s a different kind of enjoyment — one that comes from the challenges we face and the effort to turn things around.
“I’m generally content, though not completely satisfied with the car. Everyone in the team wants to improve, and that drive to get better is no secret.”