The changed temperature at Suzuka worked out well for Max Verstappen and Red Bull. The Dutchman says so after the end of his win at the Japanese Grand Prix.
During qualifying on Saturday, Verstappen put his car in pole position. Over one lap, Red Bull was unbeatable. However, from the data from free practice, it looked like the Austrian team was lagging behind Ferrari in terms of race speed.
On Sunday, however, it was a bit warmer than earlier in the weekend. Formula 1 cars are very sensitive to such changes. Verstappen also noticed this: "I think in general, of course, everything is a little bit more difficult when it gets warmer. You have a bit less grip. So I think the first few laps are about trying to adapt to that."
Verstappen: 'That worked out well for us'
In the end, Verstappen managed to win in the high temperatures: "I think overall it worked out, of course, well for us. But it's always a bit more tricky when, suddenly, the whole weekend you've done a certain temperature, and then suddenly it goes up a bit."