Max Verstappen, the race winner, drove a Red Bull Racing RB20 in the parc ferme on April 7, 2024. The Japanese Grand Prix, which was part of the Formula 1 World Championship, took place in Suzuka, Japan. Verstappen’s victory was made possible by a modification to the front wing during a red flag period, as revealed by Christian Horner, Red Bull’s Formula 1 team principal. This win came after Verstappen’s retirement in Australia two weeks earlier and allowed Red Bull to secure a third 1-2 finish in the first four races of the season, extending their championship lead over Ferrari. Horner expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, highlighting the front row lockout, fastest lap, and quickest pit stop.
Prior to the race, both Verstappen and his teammate Sergio Perez were concerned about the Red Bull’s long run pace competitiveness based on their practice simulations. However, Verstappen credited a series of adjustments made before parc ferme conditions were imposed to improve the car’s performance. Horner acknowledged the positive impact of these changes and the potential influence of the warmer conditions during the race. He also mentioned that it was difficult to accurately assess Ferrari’s performance due to uncertainties about fuel loads during Friday practice sessions.
Despite Verstappen’s good start, he experienced a change in the balance of his car, going from understeer to oversteer. However, the red flag on lap 1, caused by a crash between Alex Albon and Daniel Ricciardo, allowed the team to make adjustments to Verstappen’s front wing angle, correcting the issue. Horner praised the team for executing the race smoothly and without complications, highlighting the different track conditions compared to Friday’s practice sessions. Overall, it was a well-executed race for Red Bull.
