Max Verstappen showcased his driving prowess by following up a remarkable qualifying performance with a decisive victory at the Japanese Grand Prix. This win has significantly reduced the gap between him and championship leader Lando Norris to just one point. The race commenced with Verstappen maintaining his lead as they approached Turn 1, closely followed by the McLaren duo of Norris and Oscar Piastri. The initial laps featured a clean start, with minimal changes among the frontrunners as Verstappen skillfully built a crucial one-second gap, effectively breaking the DRS range while managing his medium tires.
The first round of pit stops proved to be a decisive moment in the race. Verstappen and Norris entered the pit lane simultaneously, leading to a dramatic side-by-side battle on pit exit. A slight delay during Verstappen's pit stop forced Norris onto the grass, allowing Verstappen to maintain his lead. From that point forward, Verstappen expertly controlled the race pace, ensuring the top three drivers finished in the same order they started: Verstappen first, Norris second, and Piastri third. Charles Leclerc finished a distant fourth, followed by George Russell in fifth. Further back, Kimi Antonelli impressed with a sixth-place finish in his Mercedes, setting the fastest lap of the race, while home favorite Yuki Tsunoda managed a respectable P12 in his debut race for Red Bull.
In a race where all 20 drivers completed the distance, Verstappen's flawless drive under pressure reaffirmed his status as the benchmark in Formula One. Despite the strong showing from McLaren, who remain 36 points ahead in the constructors' standings, Verstappen’s performance highlighted his exceptional talent. The battle between Verstappen, Norris, and Piastri was intense, with only 1.6 seconds separating them with six laps remaining. Leclerc trailed significantly, over 11 seconds behind on Lap 47, as Verstappen maintained a steady pace, expertly keeping the McLarens outside of the DRS range.
The ongoing rivalry between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris has taken a new turn this season. Their earlier encounters in Austria and Austin ended in contact and penalties, respectively, heightening the anticipation for their next showdown. With just eight points separating them before the Japanese GP weekend, the stage was set for another thrilling battle. The critical moment arose during the pit stop, where both drivers raced for position, leading to a contentious exchange over the radio.
In addition to the main race highlights, Kimi Antonelli set new records during the event. Despite admitting to feeling "very lost" earlier in the weekend, Antonelli found his rhythm, achieving a remarkable feat by becoming F1's youngest race leader at just 18 years and 225 days. He also set the record for the youngest driver to secure the fastest lap in a grand prix, surpassing Verstappen’s previous record. Antonelli's performance, including his impressive sixth-place finish, has solidified his status as a burgeoning talent in the sport.
Yuki Tsunoda's first race with Red Bull did not go as smoothly as hoped. Struggling in qualifying, he started from 14th position and faced challenges throughout the race. Although he managed to navigate past Liam Lawson and made progress, he spent significant time behind Pierre Gasly's Alpine, ultimately finishing P12. Despite the lack of points, Tsunoda's efforts were commendable, and he remains optimistic about future races.
The provisional race results from the Japanese Grand Prix are as follows:
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 2. Lando Norris (McLaren) 3. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) 4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 5. George Russell (Mercedes) 6. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) 7. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) 8. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) 9. Alex Albon (Williams) 10. Ollie Bearman (Haas) 11. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) 12. Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls) 13. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) 14. Carlos Sainz (Williams) 15. Jack Doohan (Alpine) 16. Nico Hülkenberg (Sauber) 17. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) 18. Esteban Ocon (Haas) 19. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) 20. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)The current driver standings after the Japanese Grand Prix are as follows:
Lando Norris (McLaren) — 62 points Max Verstappen (Red Bull) — 61 points Oscar Piastri (McLaren) — 49 points George Russell (Mercedes) — 45 points Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) — 30 points Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) — 20 points Alex Albon (Williams) — 18 points Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) — 15 points Esteban Ocon (Haas) — 10 points Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) — 10 points