Max Verstappen clinched victory at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, breaking a brief winning drought that saw him secure just two wins in 16 races. His flawless performance, described as “perfection” by his Red Bull engineer, marked his fourth consecutive win at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan.
Verstappen’s triumph ended the momentum of McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who had dominated the early season with victories in Australia and China. Despite the win, Verstappen remained focused, saying, “We still have work to do, but it shows if we nail everything, we can be up there.”
Starting from pole position after setting a course-record time in qualifying, Verstappen’s dominance was clear from the outset. Norris finished second, with Piastri securing third place. The dry conditions, despite earlier rain, allowed for an incident-free race, except for a notable moment dubbed the “grass-cutting incident,” where Norris had to drive over the grass while trying to overtake Verstappen after their pit stops.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished fourth, followed by Mercedes’ George Russell and his teammate Kimi Antonelli in sixth. Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda, in his first race with Red Bull’s top team, finished 12th.
Verstappen paid tribute to Japanese engine maker Honda, whose partnership with Red Bull is set to end this season. “It was fun, just pushing very hard at the end. The two McLarens were pushing very hard. We didn’t give up on improving the car, and today it was in its best form,” Verstappen remarked.
Norris, who trailed Verstappen throughout the race, acknowledged his rival’s skill, saying, “I could see Max quite clearly for the whole race but just couldn’t quite make any inroads. I don’t need anyone to tell me what Max is capable of doing.”
The victory brings Verstappen closer to the top of the driver’s standings, with Norris leading by just one point. The season continues to showcase intense competition, with Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari all in the mix, and every small mistake becoming crucial in the battle for supremacy.
