Backstory of Max Verstappen’s slow pit stop in Japan: why Red Bull had backup crew at Suzuka. Max Verstappen's Pit Stop Trouble: Why Red Bull Had Reserve Mechanics at Suzuka.

After the brilliant pole position obtained on Saturday in Suzuka, Max Verstappen made a perfect start, and then secured the victory in the 53 laps of the Japanese Grand Prix. The McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were never able to challenge the Red Bull of the four-time world champion from the Netherlands. One tense moment: the simultaneous pit stops of Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, where the Briton, daringly trying to close the gap to his rival, ended up on the grass.

The slow pit stop
Max Verstappen entered the pit lane ahead of Norris, but the latter, with a quicker stop, almost managed to exit side by side with the Dutchman.
The reason for the slower stop for Red Bull was then explained after the race by Christian Horner: “After they called Piastri to the pits, it was clear they would stop Lando Norris in the next lap. So, we also came in to cover ourselves. But this weekend, the two number one mechanics – who are twins (Matt and Jon Caller, editor’s note) – weren’t there because their father was unwell, and they had to return to the UK. So, we had the reserve guys at the pit stop, and that’s why the stop was a little slower than ideal.”

Horner then continued: “This allowed Lando to close the gap but never quite catch up. Fortunately, his stop wasn’t exceptional either. The race officials made the right decision by not taking any action.”
There was also a discussion about a change to Max’s front wing: “At the stop, we weren’t able to adjust the wing as we wanted, which gave him a bit more understeer than he would have liked,” concluded the Red Bull team principal.