Verstappen: 'Then the car was very nice to drive again'

Max Verstappen won the Japanese Grand Prix brilliantly and secured the 2023 F1 constructors' title for Red Bull Racing. Only at the start did the Dutchman briefly come under pressure. The driver hinted that he only struggled for a moment with his RB19.

The problems at the start for Verstappen were readily apparent in the form of advancing McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. The two got away well from P2 and P3 and caused Verstappen to have to be on edge for the first few metres. Verstappen also hinted that his car did not immediately feel very nice. Fortunately, it did not take long for the RB19 to feel right again.

After the race, Verstappen said: "I think it was a good race. Of course, the start was a bit tight in the first two corners but after that the car was very nice to drive again. I could really look after the tyres well. The degradation was quite in control. Of course, I knew that our strategy was going to be a little bit different with the medium tyres compared to two times hard for some others, but it was still okay, I think."

Verstappen continued: "The balance is still quite okay, traction and stuff for the whole thing. Honestly, like no real issues throughout the race and I think that just sums up the weekend as well. It's just been an incredible weekend to drive the car."