Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen celebrated his first season success. The Red Bull Pilot drove to a start-finish victory at the Japan Grand Prix. He distanced the McLaren competitors Lando Norris and Oscar Piatri in second and third place.
Max Verstappen hit back in the duel with the superior McLaren and confidently celebrated his first win of the season. The Formula 1 world champion held the pressure from Lando Norris and Oscar Piatri at the Grand Prix of Japan, with clever tire management and a flawless journey, the Dutcher made up for the inferiority of his Red Bull-in the end he cheered on his 64th triumph in the premier class. In the World Cup, he sent a clear sign: the defending champion is also to be expected in 2025.
Verstappen had laid the foundation for success with a sensational round in qualifying on Saturday. There he snatched Norris the pole position, in the race on Sunday he took advantage of this advantage ice cold. Norris and Piatri followed two and three in places, in the third race the winner was not a McLaren pilot for the first time. In the World Cup, Vice World Champion Norris remains at the front, Verstappen, who impressively increased during the weekend, but moved closer.
McLaren bites the teeth
The world champion seems to be the only one who can keep up in the duel with the McLaren pilots Norris and Piatri. Ferrari pilot Charles Leclerc (Monaco) already had a clear gap to the top trio as the fourth. This was followed by the Mercedes drivers George Russell (Great Britain) and Kimi Antonelli (Italy) in front of record world champion Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain/Ferrari). Nico Hülkenberg (Emmerich/Sauber) missed the points.
Two questions arose on this race Sunday: What influence would the announced rain have in Suzuka? And will it be possible to control the McLaren via the full distance?
“McLaren is still the faster car. We hoped a little for rain,” said Red Bull’s motorsport consultant Helmut Marko at Sky. However, this failed to materialize that rainfall had only existed in the morning. So it remained with the strategy of “fully driving, staying in front as long as possible and at the same time paying attention to the tires.”
Hectic scene on the pit lane
Verstappen implemented the requirement strongly, at the start he reacted quickly, came into the first curve without distress and drove out a small cushion on Norris and Piatri. It became exciting at the pit stop: Verstappen and Norris came to change the tire at the same time. The Dutch kept his way ahead, Norris rumbled through the grass next to him.
“He pushed me out and saw me very clearly. I was already next to him,” said the Briton, Verstappen sparked against Norris left the trail of free pieces. Both demanded sanctions for each other – however, they failed to materialize.
“We have to overtake it on the track,” said Norris command stand: “You do a good job with the tires, better than him.” But as much as Norris struggled, he did not come closer to the error -free Verstappen until then. Even in the last third of the race, the Dutch had just under a second and a half second ahead, Norris failed to drive into the DRS window.
Instead, Norris had to defend himself against Piatri, who was now sensing the chance on his 24th birthday. “I think I have the pace to attack Max,” Piatri radioed to the box, but Norris should make room. Didn’t do the Brit and secured second place behind the outstanding Verstappen.