Verstappen confident Suzuka can "bring out the best" of Red Bull

The Dutchman failed to mount a challenge for victory at the Chinese Grand Prix last time out as the Red Bull struggled to match the race-winning McLaren and the Mercedes of George Russell, despite finishing second to Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari in the sprint.

That result followed a season-opening second behind last year's main title rival Lando Norris in Australia, where a safety car allowed four-time champion Verstappen to overcome a 15-second gap to the McLarens.

Verstappen has won the previous three Japanese races and ahead of the third race of the season, he said: "Suzuka has always been a special circuit to race at with a lot of history for us, especially winning the constructors’ championship in 2023 and my second drivers’ championship here too.