Max Verstappen has admitted that it is unlikely he will win a fifth consecutive Japanese Grand Prix due to Red Bull\u2019s lack of performance, explaining that the deficit to their rivals is currently too great.<\/p>\n
The Dutchman<\/a> suffered a challenging round last time out in China<\/a> as he missed out on a point in the Sprint by just four-tenths before retiring from the Grand Prix while running in P6, sacrificing what could have been a much-needed eight points.<\/p>\n Red Bull\u2019s drop in form has seen them fall behind not only their usual rivals in Mercedes<\/a>, Ferrari<\/a> and McLaren<\/a>, but also midfield competitors Haas<\/a>, leaving Verstappen keen to maximise their performance at this weekend\u2019s Japanese Grand Prix.<\/p>\n After winning the last four events at the Suzuka Circuit<\/a>, including a superb victory that saw him eclipse the dominant McLaren pair of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri last season, he said: \u201cI don’t really think about the previous years because every year is different.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have to be realistic that we are nowhere near that kind of level at the moment, so I just go into the weekend and see where we will be.\u201d<\/p>\n Prompted on how the Milton Keynes outfit will make the most of April \u2013 with the rounds in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia not taking place that month<\/a> \u2013 Verstappen explained: \u201cI hope that we can use that break to understand our car a little bit better. Learn from the previous races and just try to be closer to the front.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that’s the target for us. China was not a nice weekend for us, so I hope for a while that’s our worst weekend. In that sense, the break will be good.\u201d<\/p>\n Although Red Bull<\/a> promoted Isack Hadjar<\/a> to partner Verstappen this season, they currently find themselves level with his former team Racing Bulls \u2013 both squads are on 12 points, but the sister team holds the advantage of scoring in every race so far.<\/p>\n