Max Verstappen wins Japanese GP hands Constructors’ Championship to Red Bull with F1 star on brink of title
MAX VERSTAPPEN returned to winning ways at the Japanese GP, finishing top of the pack to put him on the brink of the title.
The win also gave Red Bull back-to-back Constructors’ Championships.
The F1 star 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 and claimed his 13th win this season.
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.
Ferrari’s Monégasque driver Charles Leclerc took fourth.
Verstappen can now win his third Drivers’ Championship in Qatar on October 8.
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Verstappen could be heard praising the Red Bull team for building a “rocketship” on the team radio as he past the chequered flag.
He said: “You can all be very proud. Everyone here and back in the factory, what a rocketship we’ve built”
After finishing, Verstappen was thrilled and claimed that the race was “straightforward”.
He added: “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 straightforward race.”
Second-placed Norris did suggest that McLaren are closing the gap to Red Bull.
After finishing, he said on the team radio: “We’re coming for Red Bull!”
There were five drivers that failed to finish the race in Japan, such as Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez, Lance Stroll, Logan Sargeant and Alex Albon.
More to follow…