Suzuka: Three-time world champion Max Verstappen won the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, with teammate Sergio Perez leading the way for Red Bull.
Verstappen failed to finish in Australia two days ago but dominated the entire race at Suzuka after starting from pole to claim his third win in four races this season.
The Dutchman finished 12.535 seconds ahead of Perez, who came home second in dry and sunny conditions ahead of Ferrari’s third-placed Carlos Sainz.
Verstappen made a shock return to form after braking problems in Melbourne saw him crash out of the race for the first time in two years.
He started from pole for the fourth time in four races this season and sealed his reputation in the race by pipping Perez to pole position.
Verstappen said this week that Suzuka is one of his favorite circuits and has now won the Japanese Grand Prix three times.
Sainz, who won in Australia, finished third ahead of Ferrari-mate Charles Leclerc, who started from eighth on the grid.
McLaren’s Lando Norris, who finished second in last year’s race, was fifth ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso.
George Russell McLaren Oscar Piastrini of Mercedes seventh, and Lewis Hamilton ninth in another Mercedes.
Japan’s Ukiyuki Tsunoda was 10th for RB, taking his first home win.
Rain RB’s Daniel Ricciardo and Williams’ Alex Albon were red-flagged in the second lap after colliding and crashing after a frenetic start.
Albano’s front wing bounced off the back of Ricciardo’s car, racing into the race and both dived into the wall.
Both drivers withdrew from the race.
The action started on the uprights and Verstappen led Perez from where he left off.
After Verstappen pitted on lap 17, Leclerc took the lead, but the Red Bull driver retired after four laps.
Verstappen and Perez both consolidated their positions, while Norris remained in the battle for third against the two Ferraris.
A late-night lockout cost the McLaren driver a podium finish.
Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu retired on lap 19 with gearbox problems.
Williams’ Logan Sargeant pulled off the track late in the race but continued to drive.
The championship continues in two days with the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.
The event will be held for the first time since 2019, before the pandemic.
The Grand Prix of Grand Prix was held in April after being moved from its regular season finale location.
