SUZUKA, JAPAN – APRIL 07: Race winner Max Verstappen from the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing, second place Sergio Perez from Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing, and third place Carlos Sainz from Spain and Ferrari celebrate with Craig Dear, Chief Aerodynamicist at Oracle Red Bull Racing, on the podium of the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka International Circuit on April 07, 2024 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images)
Features 2024 Japanese Grand Prix winner Max Verstappen from Red Bull Racing, along with second place Sergio Perez (Red Bull Racing) and third place Carlos Sainz from Ferrari.
Q: Carlos, you must be thrilled with your performance today, especially after the challenging weekend in Saudi Arabia. How do you feel about your race?
Carlos SAINZ: I’m very happy with my race. It was tough out there, with the track conditions, but I managed to make some good overtakes and finish on the podium. Overtaking in Suzuka is always tricky, but I was able to do it.
Q: Your strategy seemed to work well. How did you approach the race after your final pit stop?
CS: I knew it would be tough to catch the leaders, especially after struggling to overtake the Mercedes cars in the second stint. But I had a good delta and managed to pull off some great moves. The hard tires were good and I was able to secure the podium.
Q: Looking ahead to the next race in China, what are your expectations?
CS: China will be a challenge for everyone. It’s been a while since we raced there, and we only have one practice session. But I’m ready for it and will give it my all.
Q: Congratulations on your performance, Carlos. Sergio, you had a strong afternoon, finishing in second place. How do you feel about your race?
Sergio PÉREZ: It was a good weekend for the team. The restart was challenging, but overall, it was a smooth race for me. I couldn’t catch Max, but I am satisfied with the podium result.
P: You’ve had a good start to the season. How encouraged are you by your performance?
SP: I am definitely encouraged by our performance so far. Being second in the championship is a positive result, and I believe we can continue to be strong in the upcoming races.
P: Max, congratulations on your dominant victory. How was your race?
Max VERSTAPPEN: It was a great race for me. The car got better with each lap. The start was crucial and I managed to maintain the lead. The pit stops and strategy worked well, and I couldn’t be happier with the result.
P: It must be satisfying to bounce back after the disappointment in Melbourne. How important was this victory?
MV: It’s always good to win, especially in Japan, in front of the Honda fans. We had a small setback in Melbourne, but we showed our true potential today.
P: Looking ahead to the next race in China, what are your expectations?
MV: China will be a different challenge, especially with the Sprint format. We haven’t been there in a while, so it will be interesting to see how we perform.
P: Congratulations, Max. Now, let’s hear your thoughts on the race and your victory.
MV: It was a very good win for us. The car was great, and the changes we made before qualifying paid off. The pit stops and strategy were perfect. Overall, it couldn’t have been better.
P: Do you feel confident about the rest of the season?
MV: It’s still a long season, and we have to take it race by race. We know there will be tracks where we may struggle, but we will do our best on the tracks where we have an advantage.
P: Sergio, you had another strong race, finishing in second place. How satisfying is this result for you?
SP: It’s a great result for the team. We had a good start, but the first stint was a bit challenging. However, the car improved in the final stints, and I was able to push more. Overall, it was a satisfying race.
P: What are your expectations for the next race in China?
SP: China is a track similar to Suzuka, so I believe we can be competitive there as well. We will give our best and aim for another good result.
P: Carlos, congratulations on your podium. How do you feel about your race?
CS: I am very happy with the result. We knew our race pace was better than our qualifying pace, and that was evident today. The track conditions changed throughout the race, but we were able to adapt and secure a podium.
P: Ferrari seems to have progressed since the last race in Suzuka. How satisfying is this improvement?
CS: It is very satisfying to see the progress we have made. We have improved the car in the areas we wanted, and it is showing results. Our race pace is better, and we have more strategic flexibility. It is a positive step forward.
P: Max, there was some uncertainty about the car’s performance in higher temperatures. How was it out there today?
MV: It was a bit more challenging with the higher temperatures, as the grip was reduced. However, we made some adjustments to the car, and it performed well overall. We were competitive with both the medium and hard tires.
P: Max, Toto Wolff said that no one can catch you this season. What do you think about that?
MV: It is still early in the season, and anything can happen. Let’s take it race by race and try to maximize our points. We know there will be tracks where we may struggle, but we will do our best to stay ahead.
P: Carlos, what are your thoughts on the championship battle?
CS: Red Bull definitely has an advantage in the first part of the season. We need to bring updates to the car to close the gap. It’s a challenge, but we will give our best and see where we end up.
P: Max, what are your expectations for the upcoming Sprint race in China?
MV: The Sprint format adds a new element to the race weekend. It will be challenging, especially with little practice time. We will have to adapt quickly and make the most of the situation.
P: Max, how do you feel about the victory and the race in general?
MV: I am very happy with the victory. The car was great, and we made some adjustments that improved its performance. It was a dominant win, and everything went well.
P: Max, after the disappointment in Melbourne, how important was it for you to bounce back with a win in Japan?
MV: It is always important to bounce back after a setback. Melbourne was a setback, but we showed our true potential today. Winning in Japan, in front of the Honda fans, is a special feeling.
P: Sergio, you had a clean weekend here in Suzuka. How satisfying is it to do well at this iconic track?
SP: It is very satisfying to have a clean weekend and finish on the podium. Suzuka is a challenging track, and doing well here is a great achievement. I am pleased with the result.
P: Carlos, you have made significant progress since the last race in Suzuka. How satisfying is this improvement?
CS: It’s very satisfying to see the progress we have made. We have improved the car in areas that needed attention, and it’s paying off. Our race pace is better, and we have more strategic flexibility. It’s a positive step forward.
P: Max, the car seemed to handle the higher temperature well. How was it out there?
MV: The car coped well with the higher temperature. We made some adjustments, and it worked out. It was a bit more challenging, but overall, the car felt good.
P: Max, do you feel confident about the rest of the season?
MV: It’s still a long season, and anything can happen. We will take it race by race and give our best. We know there will be tracks where we may struggle, but we will continue to strive for the best results.
P: Sergio, you had a moment where you went off track and picked up dirt on your tires. How did that affect your race?
SP: It was a tricky corner, and I went off track, picking up dirt on my tires. It took a few laps to clean them off and I lost some time. But overall, it didn’t have a significant impact on my race.
P: Carlos, Ferrari’s strategy seemed sharp today. How has the team improved in this area?
CS: We have progressed in our strategy over the years, but this year, it’s mainly due to the improved car. The car allows for more flexibility in strategy, and that has made a difference in our races.
P: Max, what are your thoughts on Formula E?
MV: Formula E is a great category with talented drivers. I enjoy watching it, but I don’t see myself participating. I appreciate the competition and talent in the category.
P: Sergio, what are your thoughts on Formula E?
SP: I think Formula E is a great category that offers opportunities for drivers who didn’t make it to Formula 1. It’s good to have a category where they can showcase their skills and make a living.
P: Carlos, what do you think about Formula E?
CS: Formula E is an important category that gives talented drivers the chance to pursue their passion. It’s great to see them racing and competing at a high level.
© 2024
Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick in an exciting match against rival Barcelona. The Portuguese player showed his skill and determination, leading his team to victory. With this brilliant performance, Ronaldo continues to prove why he is considered one of the best players in the world.
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