Max Verstappen used his 36th career pole at the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix to praise his Red Bull chief mechanic after Lee Stevenson announced he’s leaving the reigning quintuple-champions to join Sauber.
Stevenson worked with Verstappen from the Dutchman’s very first day as a Red Bull driver and has been an integral part of his three successive drivers’ championships, but is now leaving for the other end of the pitlane.
Despite a late improvement from Sergio Perez at Suzuka, Verstappen never looked likely to miss out on pole position as he returned to the top step of the podium a day later following his Australian GP disappointment and was asked for his thoughts on Stevenson.
“I have a very good relationship with Leeroy from my start at Red Bull from 2016 onwards,” Verstappen told the media in Japan. “And he was my number one, I think until the end of 2020, if I’m not mistaken. Yeah, it’s been a while, we’ve had a few good years.
“Then he got a great opportunity at Sauber and I don’t blame him for trying something new, we’re still good friends, we’ve shared a lot of great moments together. And sometimes in life you get opportunities and maybe go a bit out of your comfort zone, you try something new.
“If it doesn’t work out. You can always come back, right? It’s all good.”
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Apart from a brief stint where Stevenson was moved away from trackside to the Red Bull factory, the Brit has been an integral part of Verstappen‘s team but will now move to the other end of the pitlane as Audi prepare to take the helm at Sauber for 2026.
Verstappen verdict on Suzuka calendar change
Verstappen was also positive about Suzuka‘s new position in the calendar with the race moved from its traditional autumn slot to spring in 2024.
The Japanese GP moves to before the European leg of the season to fit between Australia and China as Formula 1 strives to reduce its environmental impact, now Singapore is the only Asian race after the summer break outside of the Middle East.
“I think it also looks nicer with the cherry blossoms and it’s nice for the pictures,” Verstappen added. “It makes so much sense around this time of the year to be here when we have Australia anyway and now Suzuka and China.
“The only thing maybe is to put Suzuka and China back-to-back will be a good idea for the future and then maybe also add in Singapore.
“But it’s nicer, there’s always naturally a bit more grip when it’s colder and I think that’s especially on a track like this where it’s very heavy on the tyres, it’s always a bit bit nicer like that.”
