Max Verstappen claims victory at the Japanese GP as F1 star returns to winning ways and hands Championship to Red Bull
MAX VERSTAPPEN returned to winning ways at the Japanese GP, finishing top of the pack for the 13th time this season.
The win also gave Red Bull back-to-back Constructors’ Championships.
The F1 star was finished fifth last time out at the Singapore GP as Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz picked up his first win of the year.
Verstappen, 25, had a tough start to the race as he fought off both McLarens in his Red Bull car.
The rival team also had a successful race, finishing in the remaining podium places.
Brit Lando Norris claimed the second spot while team-mate Oscar Piastri finished in third.
It was a less successful race for the Mercedes’ British drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.
The pair finished back in fifth and seventh, although they did advance a couple of spots from their starting grid places.
Fourth was taken by Ferrari’s Monégasque driver Charles Leclerc.
Verstappen can now win his third Drivers’ Championship in Qatar on October 8.
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He said: “Unbelievable weekend of course, I think the car was working very well on each compound. We are having a very incredible year, I am very proud of everyone.
“We had a bit of wheelspin at the start but other than a pretty straight forward race.”
Second-placed Norris did suggest that McLaren are closing the gap to Red Bull.
He said on the team radio after finishing: “We’re coming for Red Bull!”
More to follow…