SUZUKA, Japan -- Red Bull split the setups on the cars of Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo ahead of qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix, but they were still split by just 0.026s.
After both cars took part in Friday practice with relatively high-downforce setups, Ricciardo opted to trim his car back on Saturday to benefit from less drag and greater straightline speed. Verstappen stuck with the same settings, meaning he should have more downforce in Suzuka's flowing corners and could also be in a better position to protect his tyres during Sunday's race.
"Max stayed with the higher setting, I took some off," Ricciardo explained.