Max Verstappen overcame a tumultuous first lap to win the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, moving him one step closer to clinching his third successive Formula One championship. The Red Bull driver, who finished third in Singapore a week ago, began from pole and held on for his 13th victory of the season. Red Bull won the constructors’ championship with Verstappen’s victory, their sixth overall and second in a straight. They did it with six races left.
McLaren driver Lando Norris finished second, 19.4 seconds behind Verstappen, while his teammate Australian rookie Oscar Piastri finished third for his maiden F1 podium. Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc was fourth followed by Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton. Verstappen stretched his advantage over Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez to 177 points after securing a point for the fastest lap. He might win his third consecutive title at the Qatar Grand Prix on October 6-8.
The race began with Verstappen, Piastri, and Norris going wheel-to-wheel, but the Red Bull driver maintained his lead through the first two turns. Verstappen reacted to the initial enthusiasm. Luckily, nothing happened, the Dutch driver stated. It got quite close, but that’s racing and that’s how it starts. Of course, you had a good battle into Turn 1 and Turn 2, and I was fortunate to have a bit more grip in Turn 2, he added.
Perez had a horrible day after receiving a penalty for hitting Haas driver Kevin Magnussen and retiring from the race after serving the penalty. The Mexican driver won in Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan in March and April but has struggled since. Verstappen’s record 10-race winning streak came to an end at Marina Bay in Singapore, and he arrived in Japan hungry to reclaim the top step of the podium. Prior to Sunday’s race, he dominated every practice session at the fast Suzuka track, where he won the title in a rain-shortened race last year. On Sunday, the conditions were excellent, and Verstappen took full advantage.
Verstappen reclaimed the lead during his first pit stop and was never truly challenged. Norris triumphed in a battle between the McLaren drivers. The Briton started ahead of Piastri, but dropped behind after the rookie pitted under a virtual safety car, then produced enough speed to swap positions.
The progress we’ve made is pretty outstanding. We’re coming for Red Bull, Norris said. It was a remarkable achievement for Piastri, who just signed a contract extension with McLaren through the end of 2026.
