Red Bull simulator driver Sebastien Buemi has praised Max Verstappen's "impressive" performance in the Japanese Grand Prix and confirmed the team has upgrades coming soon.
Verstappen delivered one of the greatest qualifying laps of all-time to secure pole position at Suzuka, before converting it into a remarkable victory against McLaren.
The reigning world champion defied the odds in Japan, with Red Bull continuing to face issues with the RB21.
He enters this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix just a point behind Lando Norris, with Buemi believing that Verstappen is currently getting the maximum out of the team and the car.
"I think it was an amazing weekend," Buemi said during an interview with RacingNews365. "I think he's had a very strong start to the season, considering the package.
"He's getting everything out of the car and the team. It's pretty impressive to watch, because it clearly looks like the McLarens are faster, but he's just constantly there.
"And in Japan, obviously, having pole position, I think, was a big boost, but then he was under pressure the whole race, and he didn't make any mistakes.
"I think, there is lots of things that will change in Formula 1. It's a long championship. There are updates coming.
"There are different regulation changes with the wings. You cannot predict, but we still hope to get better and better throughout the season."
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How does Red Bull work with its simulator team?
A crucial detail behind Verstappen's first win of the season is the work which the team completed between the end of second practice and qualifying.
Red Bull made several changes, which included vital work with its simulator team. Buemi was not in the team's sim for Japan, but has previously received significant praise from Christian Horner.
"I was not in [the sim] for the weekend in Japan, but clearly, there is a lot of things you can do. In FP1, FP2, now it's one-hour sessions, it's not that much time.
"I think it was FP2, there was red flags all the time. So then we for sure, we try everything, and we try to generate performance, and then discussing with [team at] the race track, they decide whether they apply some of the changes or not.
"It's important to have good correlation for them to trust what's been the result in the sim."
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Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes, Sam Coop and Nick Golding, as they reflect on the Japanese Grand Prix and look ahead to Bahrain. Max Verstappen's victory is a major talking point, as is McLaren's serious strategical weakness. Jack Doohan's struggles is also discussed.
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