Max Verstappen hit a new low at Suzuka. Qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix ended with a disappointing 11th place finish, leaving him out of Q3. For a driver who has won four world titles and dominated the competition for years, finishing 11th at one of the most demanding circuits on the calendar is simply unacceptable.
Red Bull, with its RB22, is going through a deep crisis, but the Dutch driver can no longer hide behind this explanation alone. The car is slow, unstable, and difficult to drive. Yet, when a four-time world champion cannot even make it into the top ten, the issue is not only technical. It is also, and perhaps above all, about a driver who appears to have lost clarity, focus, and that relentless hunger for victory that once made him unbeatable.
Simple mistakes, untidy laps, and clear signs of nervousness condemned Max Verstappen to start from the sixth row of the grid. It is a painful result that casts serious doubts over his current form and future prospects.
Unacceptable arrogance: pushing journalists away instead of focusing on driving
The situation was made even worse by his behavior off track. During interviews, Max Verstappen reportedly told a journalist to leave, refusing to speak until the reporter had gone. It was a reaction that appeared inappropriate for a driver of his stature.
Instead of taking full responsibility, Verstappen seemed to direct his frustration toward those simply doing their job. Asking journalists to leave will not make the car faster. It will not solve balance issues. It will not bring the RB22 back to the front. It only highlights a moment of tension and a need to refocus on performance and composure.
A Sunday that could prove very difficult
Starting from 11th place at Suzuka makes a comeback extremely challenging. Overtaking opportunities are limited, tyre degradation is high, and Red Bull currently lacks the pace to match the leading teams. Max Verstappen risks facing another anonymous race, far from the podium, potentially fighting only for minor points.
His talent remains unquestionable, but there is a growing sense that it is being affected by frustration and pressure. Formula 1 is an unforgiving sport: past success does not guarantee present performance. Suzuka has made that point very clear.
Max Verstappen now faces a crucial moment. He can either return to the level that defined his success, or continue to struggle in a period where both performance and composure are being tested. For now, the results suggest that this phase remains a difficult one.
Max Verstappen’s struggles at the Japanese Grand Prix therefore go beyond the “undriveable” nature of the RB22, revealing a psychological tension that is hampering his performance. Based on the content of his qualifying exit and subsequent media hostility, the road back to the top for the former champion requires as much mental recalibration as it does technical development.
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