Red Bull looked beatable—until they didn’t. After a shaky start to the Japanese GP weekend, with Max Verstappen unusually off the pace, it almost felt like the reigning champs were finally under pressure.
But behind the scenes, the team was busy reinventing the RB21’s setup, and Christian Horner later confirmed they made major changes to help Max feel at one with the car again.
The result? Classic Verstappen. Pole on Saturday, dominance on Sunday. It was a reminder that even when the Red Bull package isn’t perfect out of the gate, they have the tools—and Max has the talent—to turn it around fast.
Sure, some might argue the car still gives him an edge, but this weekend showed it’s not always a cruise. It takes adaptability, quick decision-making, and a driver who knows exactly what he needs. Max delivered all of that under pressure, and the rest of the field just had to watch.
