Verstappen provides 'perfect send-off' as Red Bull find 'best form'

Max Verstappen declared it "a perfect send-off" following a Japanese Grand Prix victory for the Red Bull-Honda alliance.

Verstappen became the first driver to win four successive F1 races at the Suzuka circuit, and the fact they have all been with a Honda power unit in the back of the Red Bulls have made them all the more poignant.

From an astonishing pole position on Saturday, Verstappen was rarely troubled over the 53 laps, doing enough to contain the pressure from McLaren duo Lando Norris and Lando Norris over the closing laps.

"It was tough, just pushing very hard, especially on the last set [of tyres]," assessed Verstappen on his 64th F1 victory. "The two McLarens were pushing me very hard. It was a lot of fun out there. Not easy to manage the tyres.

"But I'm incredibly happy. It started off quite tough this weekend, we didn't give up, we kept improving the car, and today it was in its best form. Of course, starting on pole, that really made it possible to win this race."

"It's very important to always try and maximise your performance and I think we did that very well this weekend."

Assessing what Suzuka means to him given his run of success, Verstappen added: "It means a lot to me. It was in the back of my mind as well, those last few laps.

"I was like, 'Wow! I need to try and stay ahead. It would be a great story, our final farewell race together with Honda in Japan'.

"I'm incredibly proud of what we've achieved over all the years together, and this is a perfect send-off."