Max Verstappen wins Japanese Grand Prix as new teammate Yuki Tsunoda struggles in Red Bull debut
Updated . First published at
Max Verstappen ensured the tributes for the final home grand prix of the Red Bull Racing and Honda supply deal went to script, taking victory in Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix.
Verstappen's new teammate and Japanese local, Yuki Tsunoda, finished outside the points in 12th position following a difficult qualifying session the day before.
It was the Dutch driver's fourth straight victory on the Suzuka circuit in central Japan and breaks the momentum of the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who won the season’s first two races in Melbourne, Australia, and Shanghai, China.
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Yuki Tsunoda makes his Red Bull debut at the Japanese Grand Prix. Mark Thompson via Getty Images
The win breaks Verstappen's “mini-slump” of only two wins in his previous 16 races.
The four-time defending Formula 1 champion started from pole position after setting a course-record time in qualifying, which he called “insane.”
Norris placed second, and Piastri was third. The track was dry despite rain earlier in the day to produce an incident-free race.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finished fourth, followed by George Russell of Mercedes and teammate Kimi Antonelli in sixth.
Liam Lawson, who Tsunoda demoted to his seat at Racing Bulls, finished 17th.
“Unbelievable. A great weekend for us," Verstappen said afterwards.
Max Verstappen celebrates after winning the Japanese Grand Prix. Bryn Lennon/ Formula 1 via Getty Images
Norris leads the driver’s standings after three races with 62 points to 61 for Verstappen.
The weekend probably turned when Verstappen took the pole on his record last lap in qualifying on Saturday.
Sunday's race start was clean with Verstappen taking the lead as the top starters on the grid fell into line behind him.
Verstappen slowly stretched his lead and was two seconds ahead of Norris after 10 of 53 laps and kept the same advantage after 15.
Most of the leaders pitted around the 20-lap mark. Verstappen and Norris exited the pits at almost exactly the same time with Norris driving over the grass, unable to get by Verstappen.
“He drove himself into the grass,” Verstappen said over the team radio.
Lando Norris drives onto the grass while trying to overtake Max Verstappen coming out of the pit lane. FOX Sports
The stewards almost immediately relayed that the incident did not merit further investigation.
Antonelli led briefly in the middle of the race. At 18 years of age, he is the youngest to ever lead in an F1 race.
Verstappen was back in the lead after 32 laps, only 1.3 seconds ahead of Norris and 3.4 up on Piastri. On the 36th lap, his race engineer told him: “Push from here.”
And he did just that, pushing all the way to his 64th career win.
Red Bull Racing paid tribute to Japanese manufacturer Honda throughout the weekend.
The pair's supply deal is set to conclude after this season.
The severance ends a seven-year partnership in which Red Bull won four consecutive world drivers' championships and two world constructors' titles with technical support and engines from Honda.
