Max Verstappen admitted he has 'a lot of stuff to personally figure out' after qualifying only 11th for the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. The four-time champion was beaten by new team-mate Isack Hadjar, who starts eighth, marking a stark contrast to Verstappen's previous dominance at the circuit where he won the last five Japanese Grands Prix from pole position.

Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli claimed pole position, while Verstappen's struggles highlight Red Bull's ongoing difficulties with the new engine regulations. The team has not started the season competitively following the biggest rule change in F1 history. Several drivers expressed frustration about the new power units' energy profiles, which cause significant speed drops on straights as electrical power depletes before braking points.

World champion Lando Norris described the experience as soul-crushing, noting a 56km/h speed drop down straights. Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton detailed how a snap oversteer triggered unexpected power loss through the engine's algorithm. The drivers' concerns center on qualifying dynamics where the current rules prevent pushing to the limit of grip. McLaren's Andrea Stella emphasized that qualifying should reward the bravest and most skilled drivers, particularly at challenging corners like Degner One and Spoon Curve where drivers now must manage battery deployment rather than commit to aggressive lines.