Christian Horner confirms Red Bull absence at F1 race due to…read more
Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner has revealed a surprising challenge the team faced during the Japanese Grand Prix that nearly compromised Max Verstappen’s winning performance. Despite the issue, Verstappen demonstrated exceptional driving skill to fend off stiff competition from the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, ultimately securing victory at the iconic Suzuka International Circuit.
Verstappen started from pole position and led the race confidently, but Horner admitted after the event that a crucial figure was absent from the team over the weekend—a factor that could have tipped the scales in McLaren’s favor. While Horner didn’t initially go into detail, he later clarified that the absence of one of their lead performance engineers had disrupted some of their usual operations, particularly in race strategy and setup tuning.
“This weekend tested us in ways we hadn’t quite anticipated,” Horner said in a post-race interview. “We were missing a key member of our trackside operations team, someone who plays a pivotal role in analyzing car data and ensuring that Max has the best possible setup. It wasn’t ideal, and without Max’s incredible focus and execution, the result could’ve gone the other way.”
The 2025 season has presented Red Bull with new challenges, particularly with the evolving aerodynamic regulations and increased competition from teams like McLaren and Ferrari. Red Bull’s RB21, though still competitive, has shown occasional inconsistencies in handling, especially on circuits requiring a delicate balance of downforce and top speed. Suzuka, with its sweeping corners and technical sectors, was expected to be a tough test—and it was.
Verstappen, however, seemed unfazed by the pressure. From the start of the race, he maintained a steady gap ahead of Norris, who remained in hot pursuit. Despite Norris pushing hard throughout the race, he was unable to close the gap to within one second of Verstappen—crucially, the range required to activate the Drag Reduction System (DRS), which can offer a significant speed advantage on the straights.
“Lando drove a strong race, no doubt,” Horner acknowledged. “But Max was just in a league of his own today. He managed his tyres brilliantly, controlled the pace, and stayed cool under pressure. We needed a flawless performance, and that’s exactly what he delivered.”
McLaren’s team principal, Andrea Stella, also praised Verstappen’s racecraft but remained optimistic about his team’s continued progress. “We are closing the gap. If we can just qualify a little better or execute the pit stops with a few tenths saved, we’ll be right there,” Stella commented. “This was a very competitive weekend, and it showed how tight things are becoming at the front.”
The win was especially important for Red Bull as the championship battle intensifies. With more than 20 races remaining in the season, every point matters, and Horner emphasized how critical it is to remain sharp and adaptable in the face of unexpected setbacks—such as missing a key member of the engineering crew.
“We’ve got to stay flexible,” Horner said. “Sometimes it’s not just about the car or the driver, but the team working seamlessly together. We missed that rhythm a bit this weekend, but we’ll come back stronger.”
Looking ahead, Red Bull is focusing on regaining full operational strength and continuing to develop the RB21 to stay ahead of a rapidly improving field. Verstappen’s performance in Japan not only solidified his position at the top of the standings but also served as a reminder of his exceptional ability to rise above challenges and deliver when it matters most.
As the F1 circus moves on to the next round, the momentum is with Red Bull—but the competition is catching up fast.
