Max Verstappen yesterday helped Red Bull clinch the Formula One constructors’ championship and took a giant step toward his third straight drivers’ title by winning the Japanese Grand Prix.
Runaway championship leader Verstappen finished ahead of McLaren pair Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri and can lift the title at next month’s Qatar Grand Prix.
He holds a 177-point lead over teammate and nearest challenger Sergio Perez.
Photo: Reuters
Verstappen’s win helped Red Bull clinch their second straight constructors’ title even though Perez retired from the race.
“You have built a rocket ship of a car,” he told his team over the radio after crossing the line.
Nearest challengers Mercedes were unable to stay in contention, with Lewis Hamilton finishing fifth and George Russell placing seventh. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was fourth, while teammate Carlos Sainz was sixth.
Verstappen was back to his breathtaking best after a disappointing fifth-place finish at last week’s Singapore Grand Prix.
“Unbelievable weekend, to win here is great,” Verstappen said. “The car was working very well on every compound, but the most important thing was to win the constructors. We are having an incredible year and I’m very proud of everyone.”
Verstappen held off a double challenge from McLaren to take the lead ahead of Norris at the first turn.
First the Dutchman veered right to squeeze out Piastri, who was starting from second on the grid, then moved left to stop Norris from darting through the gap.
“The start had too much wheelspin, but after that it was quite a straightforward race,” Verstappen said.
Norris also finished second in Singapore, and he said his McLaren team were “getting there.”
“My start was very good and I almost had Max, but Max is Max,” the British driver said. “We’re not close to Max but we’re not miles away either.”
Australian rookie Piastri took his first podium finish behind teammate Norris.
“It feels pretty special, definitely — I will remember it for a very long time,” the 22-year-old said. “I can’t thank the team enough for giving me this opportunity.”
“It wasn’t my best race ever but it was enough to get a trophy at the end,” he added.
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