BREAKING NEW'S, Verstappen Voices Concern Over Red Bull Reliab

Verstappen Voices Concern Over Red Bull Reliability After Fierce Norris Battle

Max Verstappen expressed fresh concerns over Red Bull’s reliability after a tense and aggressive on-track battle with McLaren’s Lando Norris during qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. While the Dutchman secured a record-breaking pole position, his comments after the session hinted at deeper issues within the Red Bull garage.

Verstappen stormed to his fourth consecutive pole at Suzuka with a blistering lap time of 1:26.983 — setting a new lap record. However, the performance didn’t come easy. The reigning world champion faced intense competition from McLaren’s Lando Norris, who finished just 0.193s behind, followed closely by teammate Oscar Piastri in third.

Despite the dominant lap, Verstappen admitted to lingering issues with the RB21, the car he previously described as “undriveable” during practice sessions. “It felt better during qualifying, but I’m still not completely happy with how the car responds,” Verstappen told reporters. “We’ve had a narrow operating window all season, and if we step slightly outside of it, the balance goes.”

The Red Bull driver also acknowledged the pressure applied by Norris during the closing stages of qualifying. “Lando was pushing hard, and we were on the edge. It was good racing, but I had to be quite aggressive to hold my line and manage the tyres. That kind of pressure exposes any small weakness in the car,” Verstappen explained.

Team principal Christian Horner reinforced Verstappen’s concerns, noting that while the RB21 showed pace, consistency remains an issue. “We’re still working on understanding this car better. It’s a bit of a diva — it’s either perfect or very tricky to handle,” Horner said. “Max did a stellar job, but we’re aware that the race is going to be another challenge.”

Suzuka’s qualifying was also interrupted twice by red flags due to grass fires caused by sparks from the low-riding F1 cars — a rare and unexpected twist that briefly paused proceedings. The disruptions didn’t seem to affect the frontrunners, but they added to the chaotic feel of the session.

The weather forecast could further complicate Sunday’s Grand Prix. Rain is expected, which may throw strategy and tyre choices into question. Verstappen, who tends to thrive in wet conditions, was cautiously optimistic: “If it rains, anything can happen. I’m confident, but we need the car to respond well.”

Meanwhile, Red Bull’s second driver for the weekend, Yuki Tsunoda, who was promoted to the main team for his home race, struggled to adapt to the RB21. He qualified 15th, behind stand-in Liam Lawson who outpaced him by one position. Tsunoda admitted the car still feels “alien,” though he’s hopeful of a stronger race day.

As Sunday approaches, the spotlight remains on whether Verstappen can turn pole into victory while managing a car that continues to raise questions. With Norris and Piastri breathing down his neck and the possibility of rain looming, the Japanese Grand Prix promises high drama and fierce rivalries at every turn.