Japanese GP: Max Verstappen ‘beyond frustrated’ after shock Q2 exit for Red Bull driver in qualifying at Suzuka

Max Verstappen says he is “beyond frustrated” after a shock elimination in the second part of qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix.

Verstappen called his car “undriveable” as he qualified 11th at Suzuka – a track he has taken the last four pole positions at – but Red Bull team-mate Isack Hadjar was able to progress to Q3, where he was eighth.

Hadjar also qualified ahead of Verstappen at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, but the Dutch driver suffered a car problem which caused him to crash.

Therefore, this marks the first time Verstappen has been beaten on pure pace in Grand Prix qualifying since September 2024 in Azerbaijan.

“I mean, I’m not even frustrated anymore. I’m beyond that, so that’s a bit – I don’t know the right word in English for it,” said Verstappen.

“I don’t know what to make of it, to be honest. I don’t get upset about it, I don’t get disappointed or frustrated by it anymore with what’s going on.”

Verstappen, who has scored just eight points after two rounds, has visibly been struggling in the medium to high-speed corners.

Red Bull brought new sidepods, floor and engine cover to the Japanese Grand Prix and Verstappen suggested only he has the new parts, but it has not improved the car’s performance.

“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 told Sky Sports F1.

“We thought we’d fixed it a little bit in FP3, I mean there was still a lot of understeer in the car, but now in qualifying for me it was again undriveable, so that’s something that we need to look at.

“Also, I’m driving with a different aero package this weekend, but it seems like that’s not working, so that’s not also very good.

“We have problems that I cannot explain in detail here, that we are know there, sometimes a bit worse than other times, and I think in qualifying it just came back to a point where it became undriveable.”

Mekies: Nobody is happy at Red Bull

Red Bull have given Verstappen a car to challenge for the title in each of the last five seasons but the Dutchman looks set for a difficult 2026, which will only add to his displeasure as he’s been a strong critic of the new cars.

Team principal Laurent Mekies is hoping Red Bull can develop their way back towards the front but suggests his crew are yet to figure out what’s causing so many balance issues.

“It’s important to first understand what we are trying to address as a limitation, then the development race will start and hopefully we can make up ground,” he told Sky Sports F1 before qualifying.

“We are missing overall performances in many different areas. It’s not a surprise, it’s not a position we are happy with. We would prefer to be up there with the guys.

“We have to remember we pushed very late last year and the product is very new. For sure, not only are we lacking performance right now but also we are unable to extract everything we have.

“Through these difficult moments, you effectively build the foundations of your next steps and everyone at Milton Keynes is pushing very hard.”

Asked how he can keep his drivers happy, Mekies added: “Nobody is happy with where we are. You’re not going to see many happy faces.

“We are pushing each other – the drivers, the teams, everyone back at Milton Keynes. It’s not a position we are happy to stay on for very long.

“Equally, we know the development is significant and we have more to extract from the package.”

Sky Sports F1’s Japanese GP schedule

Sunday March 29
4.30am: Japanese GP build-up – Grand Prix Sunday*
6am: THE JAPANESE GRAND PRIX*
8am: Japanese GP reaction – Chequered Flag*
9am: Ted’s Notebook*

*Also live on Sky Sports Main Event

Formula 1 is at the iconic Suzuka Circuit for the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime