Max Verstappen has said that Red Bull‘s car balance, traction and tyre management have been key to the team’s domination of the 2023 Formula 1 season after their 15th win at the Japanese Grand Prix.
The reigning double world champions lapped everyone up to 10th around Suzuka, despite a safety car, and won by 19 seconds as they claimed their sixth Constructors’ Championship.
Their performance has been in line with practically every other race this season that has tended to see the leading Red Bull check out from the rest of the grid and win comfortably.
“The car was very nice to drive again,” Verstappen said to the media. “I could really look after the tyre as 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 tyrs compared to two hards for some others, but it was still okay.
“I think the balance is quite okay, traction and stuff for the whole stint. Honestly 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.”
Verstappen enjoying Red Bull’s league of one
Although he won the Drivers’ Championship at Suzuka in 2022, Verstappen will need to wait until Qatar despite having a more dominant package but this is the fault of the growing calendar, not his own performances.
His’s engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, summed up how the season was going to play out in Bahrain when he told Verstappen to slow down and informed him that there was no race for the Dutchman and no need to push.
Despite effectively having no challengers since the Miami GP when Sergio Perez‘s form fell away and Verstappen began to amass the points, he is enjoying the races more.
“It’s better for sure,” Verstappen added. “I mean, the car’s been more dominant this year, apart from Singapore, but all the other races we’ve had a really, really good car and it’s just an incredible season for everyone involved.
“I’m just very proud to be a part of it and to be working with all these amazing people hear the track but also especially bracket the factory as well.”
