Three-time world champion Max Verstappen cruised to victory at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, leading teammate Sergio Perez to a dominant one-two finish for Red Bull. Verstappen failed to finish in Australia two weeks ago but dominated the race after starting from pole position at Suzuka and claimed his third win in four grands prix this season. The Dutchman finished 12.535 seconds ahead of Mexico’s Perez, who finished ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in dry, sunny conditions. “The key is to start and stay ahead,” Verstappen said.
“After that, the cars got better and better,” he said.
“Everything went great. It couldn’t have gone any better.”
Sainz, who had triumphed in Australia, finished third ahead of Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc who started from eighth on the grid.
McLaren’s Lando Norris was second in last year’s race, ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso in fifth.
Mercedes’ George Russell edged out McLaren’s Oscar Piastri for seventh, while the other Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton finished ninth.
Verstappen started from pole position for the fourth time in as many races this season and asserted his authority in the race from the start, leading Perez into the first corner.
He said this week that Suzuka is one of his favorite circuits and he has now won three consecutive Japanese Grands Prix.
He was back to his stunning best after brake problems in Melbourne forced him to retire for the first time in two years.
“There was a little hiccup in the last race, but I’m happy that we’re back on top,” said Verstappen, who had secured the world title early on.
Perez, who failed to win at Suzuka last year, finished second this year for the third time this season.
“I think we have good momentum,” he said.
“It was probably my worst weekend here last year, so I think if we do well here, I think we can do well elsewhere.
“It was a great weekend.”
Japan’s Yuki Tsunoda finished tenth for RB, scoring points for the first time at his home Grand Prix.
early red flags
The race was red-flagged on just the second lap when RB driver Daniel Ricciardo and Williams driver Alex Albon collided during a fiery start. .
As they jostled for position, Albon’s front wing hit the rear of Ricciardo’s car and both men hit the wall and emerged unscathed, but their race was over.
The race started from a standstill with Verstappen continuing to lead Perez.
Leclerc took the lead after Verstappen pitted on lap 17, but the Red Bull driver regained the lead four laps later.
Verstappen and Perez both consolidated their positions, with Norris battling two Ferraris for third.
A late lock-up cost the McLaren driver his chance of a podium finish.
Sauber driver Zhou Guanyu retired from the race on lap 19 due to gearbox problems.
Williams’ Logan Sargent spun off the track and stalled late in the race, but later resumed driving.
In two weeks, the championship will kick off with the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.
This will be the first time the event has been held since 2019, after it was canceled due to the pandemic.
The Japanese race has been moved up from its usual late season date to April.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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