After struggling in the Singapore Grand Prix, Max Verstappen had something to prove in Japan. He wanted to show that the setback in Singapore was just a small problem and not a sign of weakness for his team, Red Bull.

Setting a blistering lap time of 1:30.688, he sent a clear message to the paddock, reaffirming Red Bull’s strength. With Charles Leclerc trailing by a significant 0.3 seconds and Lando Norris securing the third spot, Verstappen showcased his prowess. It seemed the Singapore setback was nothing more than a minor hiccup for Super Max who reminded everyone, he’s still the one to beat.