Max Verstappen won the Japanese Grand Prix with such authority that he looks back to his previous level.
Red Bull is back to winning ways at Suzuka, where Max Verstappen and teammate Sergio Perez finished one and two.
Speaking over the team radio, the Dutchman observed, “That was a very lovely race; the car just got better and better.”
Two weeks ago, Carlos Sainz won in Australia. During the race, he used newer tires, which let him overtake Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc for third place on the podium.
“Out there, it was difficult,” Sainz remarked.
George Russell and Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes came in seventh and ninth place, while Lando Norris of McLaren came in fifth.
On the first lap, a collision between Daniel Ricciardo’s RB and Alex Albon’s Williams led to a red light and a 30-minute delay while the wreckage was cleared and a barrier was fixed. Neither driver suffered any injuries.
To the pleasure of the audience, Yuki Tsunoda of RB finished in 10th place, earning points in his home grand prix for the first time.
With 77 points, Verstappen now sits atop the drivers’ championship standings in Formula One. With 64, teammate Sergio Perez comes in second best.
With 141 points, Red Bull is first in the constructor standings, followed by McLaren (69) and Ferrari (120).
