Verstappen Labels Red Bull 'Undriveable' as Mercedes Shines in Japan GP Qualifying

Suzuka, Japan – Four-time world champion Max Verstappen voiced extreme frustration, describing his Red Bull car as "undriveable" after a dismal qualifying session saw him start Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix from a lowly 11th position. Meanwhile, Mercedes enjoyed a commanding day, with Kimi Antonelli securing pole position ahead of teammate George Russell.

Verstappen's Ongoing Struggles Mount

The Dutchman's difficult start to the Formula One season continued at Suzuka, a circuit he has dominated for the past four years. Verstappen's elimination in Q2 marks another qualifying setback, following a Q3 crash in Australia and a retirement from the Chinese Grand Prix two weeks ago.

Verstappen attributed his performance issues to an unpredictable car, stating, "The car never turns mid-corner, but at the same time this weekend, it's just oversteering a lot on entry. It's really difficult, unpredictable." He also reiterated his consistent complaints against new F1 regulations mandating a 50-50 split between conventional and electrical power.

Mercedes Dominance Continues with Antonelli Pole

In stark contrast to Red Bull's woes, Mercedes demonstrated superior pace, locking out the front row for Sunday's race. Kimi Antonelli, the 19-year-old Italian sensation, secured his second consecutive pole position with a fastest lap of 1 minute 28.778 seconds, building on his success as the youngest pole-sitter in F1 history two weeks prior in China.

Mercedes teammate George Russell qualified second, 0.298 seconds behind Antonelli. McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc will start third and fourth, respectively, highlighting a strong performance for other front-runners in the absence of a competitive Red Bull.

Olley News Insight: Max Verstappen's vocal frustration and Red Bull's performance dip signal a significant challenge to their recent dominance. This unexpected turn could reshape the early championship narrative, opening doors for Mercedes and signaling a potential shift in F1's top contenders.

Key Takeaways

  • Max Verstappen qualified a disappointing 11th for the Japanese Grand Prix.
  • He described his Red Bull car as "undriveable" and "unpredictable," struggling with handling issues.
  • This marks a continued difficult start to the season for Verstappen, following incidents in Australia and China.
  • Kimi Antonelli secured pole position, his second in a row, making him the youngest F1 pole-sitter.
  • Mercedes achieved a 1-2 in qualifying, with George Russell starting second, showcasing their strong form.
  • Verstappen has consistently voiced concerns over new Formula One power regulations.