(Suzuka) Dutchman Max Verstappen regained his champion form on Sunday by winning the Japanese Grand Prix, moving closer to his third consecutive title as Formula 1 drivers’ monarch.
The Red Bull driver, who missed out on the podium the previous weekend in Singapore, started from the lead and held on to score his 13th victory of the season.
McLaren’s Lando Norris finished second, 19.4 seconds behind Verstappen, while his teammate, Australian rookie Oscar Piastri, was third for his first F1 podium.
With Verstappen’s victory, Red Bull secured the 2023 constructors’ title, its sixth overall and its second in a row.
Verstappen also increased his lead over Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez to 177 points. He could clinch his third consecutive title at the Qatar Grand Prix, which takes place October 6-9.
It was a disastrous day for Perez, who received a penalty for hitting Haas driver Kevin Magnussen and retired from the race after serving his penalty.
Starting from 10th place, Fernando Alonso took his Aston Martin to eighth position. Quebecer Lance Stroll, who started in 17th place, saw his race end on the 21st lap due to mechanical problems.
Verstappen saw his record-breaking run of 10 victories come to an end at Marina Bay in Singapore and arrived in Japan determined to return to the top step of the podium.
Before Sunday’s race, he had dominated every session at the fast Suzuka circuit, where he won the championship last year in a rain-shortened race.
The conditions on Sunday were ideal and Verstappen took full advantage of them.
It was an exciting start to the race, with Verstappen, Piastri and Norris going blow for blow, but the Red Bull driver maintained his lead through the first two corners.
The safety car came out on the first lap when Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas made contact with another car, resulting in debris on the track.
Verstappen was able to quickly regain the lead after his first pit stop and was never seriously threatened.
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc finished fourth, followed by Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton.