Max Verstappen has reflected on a risky Red Bull pit stop during the Japanese Grand Prix, which nearly cost him victory at Suzuka.
After qualifying on pole, the four-time F1 drivers’ champion cruised through the opening phase of the race, leading Lando Norris by around two seconds.
However, Oscar Piastri’s second McLaren pitted at the conclusion of lap 20, prompting Red Bull to respond, knowing Norris would most certainly follow in the next lap.
The Milton Keynes team’s stop was a second slower than Norris’, leaving the two side-by-side at pit exit.
The British driver found himself on the grass and reported that Verstappen had pushed him off, but the stewards chose not to pursue the altercation following a cursory examination of the situation.
Verstappen reflected on the touch-and-go situation and revealed a little issue that threatened to derail his second stint.
“We had a bad pit stop, but I’m not sure what went wrong,” Verstappen told Viaplay following the race.
“Then it got tight on exit, and I believe something went wrong with the front wing adjustment as well.
