Verstappen leaves Australia GP dominated the Japanese Grand Prix en route to victory ahead of team-mate Sergio Perez.
Verstappen was asked a few days ago if he had concerns going into the Japanese Grand Prix. His rear brakes caught fire just two weeks ago at the Australian GP, forcing him out on the fourth lap. “No, no,” Verstappen replied.
True to his word. No worries. The Dutchman claimed the pole for Red Bull in Saturday qualifying, poised to return to his unprecedented dominance in Formula 1 after the blip in Australia.
Verstappen leaves Australia GP : clocked 1 minute 28.197 seconds, just 0.066 ahead of Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez. Lando Norris of McLaren and Carlos Sainz of Ferrari – the winner in Australia – will make up the second row.
It marked the third 1-2 finish for Red Bull in four races.
The grand prix was red flagged on the opening lap following a collision between Daniel Ricciardo and Alex Albon, with Zhou Guanyu joining the duo in retirement later in the race.
Carlos Sainz completed the top three after making a late overtake on team-mate Charles Leclerc for the final spot on the podium.
RESULT RACE – JAPANESE
DRIVER TEAM TIME
1
Max VERSTAPPEN
Red Bull LAP 53
2
Sergio PÉREZ
Red Bull +12.535
3
Carlos SAINZ
Ferrari +20.866
4
Charles LECLERC
Ferrari +26.522
5
Lando NORRIS
McLaren +29.700
6
Fernando ALONSO
Aston Martin +44.272
7
George RUSSELL
Mercedes +45.951
8
Oscar PIASTRI
McLaren +47.525
9
Lewis HAMILTON
Mercedes +48.626
10
Yuki TSUNODA
VCARB 1L
11
Nico HULKENBERG
Haas 1L
12
Lance STROLL
Aston Martin 1L
13
Kevin MAGNUSSEN
Haas 1L
14
Valtteri BOTTAS
Stake 1L
15
Esteban OCON
Alpine 1L
16
Pierre GASLY
Alpine 1L
17
Logan SARGEANT
Williams 1L
18
Guanyu ZHOU
Stake DNF
19
Daniel RICCIARDO
VCARB
20
Alexander ALBON