More than half a second behind McLaren, Verstappen admits a lack of confidence

Visibly, Red Bull still suffers and is not yet able to tickle the McLaren. Max Verstappen set the fifth fastest time in the first free practice session of the Japanese Grand Prix and then eighth place in the EL2, which turned out to be eventful (4 red flags).

Opposite, the orange competition confirms its Olympian form since Lando Norris et Oscar piastri started the weekend on the right foot. The Englishman and the Australian each took turns dominating the timesheets, the latter even recording the best time of the day in 1'28"114 while the four-time world champion was always more than half a second behind.

« It was not an easy day, said Max Verstappen after these two test sessions, estimating that he is not yet totally satisfied with the behavior of his car. Because of the red flags, we couldn't finish our program, but that's the same for everyone. We tried a lot of things with the car. It's difficult to put everything together in one lap. It takes a lot of confidence and commitment. We don't have that yet, so we still have work to do."

On the demanding Suzuka track, the reduced free practice time could be a handicap for teams seeking the best setup for the rest of the weekend. It could also be a handicap for the drivers, who were unable to complete their daily routine. Max Verstappen, for example, was only able to complete one fast lap on soft tires during the second free practice session. This was far from ideal for him and Red Bull as they seek to optimize the highly temperamental RB21. To achieve this, the final practice session will be crucial. It will be held on Saturday at 4:30 a.m. (French time). Qualifying will follow at 8:00 a.m.

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