Red Bull and Max Verstappen bounced back from their shocking DNF in Melbourne with a dominant performance at the Japanese Grand Prix, securing their third one-two finish of the 2024 season. The race, which was red-flagged on the first lap due to a collision between Daniel Ricciardo and Alex Albon, saw Verstappen claim victory ahead of his teammate Sergio Perez by a comfortable margin of 12 seconds.
After a 30-minute delay to clear the track and repair the barriers, Verstappen aced the restart and never looked back, showcasing his prowess on the track. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz managed to edge out his teammate Charles Leclerc for the final podium spot, maintaining his impressive record of podium finishes in 2024.
The race was marked by strategic battles among the top 10 drivers, with differing tire strategies playing a crucial role in determining the final outcomes. McLaren’s Lando Norris, who started third, had to settle for fifth place after being overtaken by both Ferraris during the race.
Fernando Alonso put in a solid performance in the Aston Martin, holding off fierce competition to secure sixth place. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton faced a disappointing race, finishing ninth after struggling with understeer and tire management issues.
With this victory, Verstappen extended his lead in the Drivers’ Championship, while Perez reclaimed second place from Leclerc. The focus now shifts to the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix, where the competition is expected to intensify. Stay tuned for more thrilling F1 action as the season progresses.