Horner hails 'mindblowing' Verstappen after Lambiase warning

Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner has heaped praise on Max Verstappen following the Dutchman’s impressive run to pole position at Suzuka.

Verstappen will lead the field at the start of the Japanese Grand Prix after claiming the top spot ahead of Oscar Piastri by six-tenths of a second.

The 25-year-old has been in strong form all weekend after enduring a difficult weekend last time out in Singapore, topping every session thus far, except Q2 when Charles Leclerc usurped him.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Horner said: “That first run looked good enough to get the job done but then he just went quicker again.

“All his laps were absolutely stunning today. I mean he's done three laps on new tyres, one lap on scrubbed tyres in Q2 to go second fastest, it has been an absolutely mind-blowing performance.”

Horner explains radio message

Horner also explained the radio message from Verstappen at the end of the session, who claimed that he told the team he could dip into the 1:28s lap times.

GP [Gianpiero Lambiase, Verstappen’s race engineer] started winding him up for the last run to say: 'Let's see a 1:28’.

“And I said to GP: 'I'd like to see four wheels on a car at the end of it!'"

Red Bull’s form this weekend has differed greatly compared to last weekend in Singapore - but Horner says there are no answers yet over its struggles at the Marina Bay Circuit.

“I wish I could tell you all the answers - I'm not sure we totally understand still.

“Singapore was a bit of an anomaly for us. We've learned a few lessons from that.

“The car has always been stronger at this type of circuit all year and particularly that first sector which is a man and machine at the limit. Today, that was an awesome display.”