Japan GP : Max wins, Red Bull 1-2

Another one of the calm drives by Max Verstappen, this time in Japan. Sergio keeps calm too and finished P2.

Dominant Max in Japan

In a way this was a home race for Red Bull, given their engine is powered by Honda. The Red Bull combo did a wonderful and finished 1-2 in front of the home crowd. However it was not as smooth a sailing as Max normally expects. His pole position was by just 0.066 seconds in front of team-mate Sergio Perez. Still he kept the lead when the race started and was ahead again when the race started after the red flag. Checo did a wonderful job too after slipping in the previous race. He was on the card and was close to Max during the entire race. Red Bull would be very pleased with Checo’s performance in Japan.

Ferrari 3-4 in Suzuka

Both the Ferrari drivers did a fantastic job and extracted the maximum. Charles did not have a good qualifying but made up for it by driving a fantastic race on a single-stop strategy and finished P4. Carlos despite starting P4 did a good job and worked the strategy to ensure a position on the podium. Ferrari would be happy with their drivers but they need to put in more effort if they want to give the Bulls a fight.

McLaren had a good show

Lando Norris had a stellar quali session to start P3 in the race. However he was not able to hold on and finished P5 in the race. He should still be happy with his performance. Oscar tried to push but was pipped by Alonso and Russell. He finished P8.

Alonso and Mercs had a good fight. He started P5 and finished a respectable P6. The Mercs looked good in practice but the pace was missing in the race. Russell managed a decent P7 and Hamilton P9. This is the third year of new regulations and Mercedes still have no idea how to challenge Red Bulls or even the Ferraris. They are struggling to get ahead of even this customer teams – Aston Martin and McLaren.

Yuki Tsunoda got the maiden last point in his home race and he would be elated with the result. His team-mate Ricciardo meanwhile crashed in the first lap with Albon and was out of the race.

Japan GP : Max wins the race in Suzuka