Verstappen reveals Red Bull areas of improvement ahead of Bahrain GP

17:25, 08 Apr

Updated: 17:30, 08 Apr

byEwan Gale

Max Verstappen has insisted Red Bull is "still working" on areas to improve its 2025 Formula 1 car despite victory at the Japanese Grand Prix.

The Dutchman secured the win ahead of McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri at Suzuka and will arrive at the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend just one point behind the British driver in the drivers' standings.

Verstappen's triumph came despite questions surrounding the performance of the Red Bull after the Chinese Grand Prix weekend, with suggestions that Liam Lawson's struggles that saw him relegated to the Racing Bulls not solely down to the Kiwi.

Addressing the victory and looking ahead to the first night race of the season, Verstappen said: "To win in Japan was an amazing moment for the team and a perfect send off for Honda, who we have had such a great relationship and a lot of success with over the years.

"It is amazing to have four wins in a row there and was a great start to the triple header. It was a good boost for the team and now we can hopefully go into this week with a bit more confidence.

"Bahrain is typically somewhere where we have gone well; the track is very technical and of course, it is under night race conditions which is a bit different. It is going to be hot and I think it will be tough race for us."

On the improvements Red Bull can make with the RB21, Verstappen added: "We are still working on our tyre management and lacking some pace so we will just need to work hard and constantly push the car to the limit.

"However, I do always enjoy going there, so looking forward to seeing what this week brings and hopefully we can maximise the performance of the car as best we can."

Tsunoda eyes first Red Bull points

Yuki Tsunoda made his debut with the team at Suzuka and despite positive pace in practice and the race, qualifying rather let him down as he left his home race without points.

Yet he is hopeful of taking a step forward this weekend and explained: "I am looking forward to being in Bahrain this weekend and having time to fully focus on racing with my team.

"Japan was a crazy week, the whole build up was very busy and the week itself too. I loved having my home race but I am equally excited to have a quieter week in Bahrain to get to grip with this car properly, really work with my team and settle into life with Oracle Red Bull Racing.

"I learnt so much across the weekend in Suzuka, I understand the RB21 so much better now and also how the team operates in different ways to what I have been used to. It’s down to me to apply that now and make sure I can perform and get the most from this car.

"Bahrain is a track we all know very well and will be totally different conditions to Japan, so I need to get up to speed quickly and ensure qualifying goes well this week.

"I think if I can understand our tyre prep better then I can put the car in a better place for race day and hopefully score the points and performance I know we are capable of."