Max Verstappen returned to winning ways in a dominant drive at the Japanese Grand Prix to not only claim his 13th win of the season, but also to wrap up a sixth Constructor’s title for Red Bull.
Verstappen fended off an attack from the two McLarens on the run into Turn 1. Lando Norris would jump Oscar Piastri in the opening exchange to lead home a 2-3 for the British marque.
Read more: F1 2023 Japanese Grand Prix – Race Report
Charles Leclerc finished fourth ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz while George Russell fell down the order after attempting a one-stop strategy. The Briton fell from third to seventh in the closing stages of the race.
Fernando Alonso returned to the points with an eighth place finish ahead of the Alpine duo of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly who completed the top ten.
There were a number of retirements as several drivers picked up damage on the run into Turn 1. Bottas was the first to retire after contact with Sargeant at Turn 11. Sergio Perez also retired after contact at Turn 11 in an optimistic lunge on Kevin Magnussen.
Lance Stroll’s race was curtailed by a rear wing failure while both Williams drivers were also forced out of the race after picking up worsening damage.
Position
Driver
Team
Gap
1
Max Verstappen
Red Bull
2
Lando Norris
McLaren
19.387
3
Oscar Piastri
McLaren
36.494
4
Charles Leclerc
Ferrari
43.998
5
Lewis Hamilton
Mercedes
49.376
6
Carlos Sainz Jr
Ferrari
50.221
7
George Russell
Mercedes
57.659
8
Fernando Alonso
Aston Martin
74.725
9
Esteban Ocon
Alpine
79.678
10
Pierre Gasly
Alpine
83.155
11
Liam Lawson
AlphaTauri
1 Lap
12
Yuki Tsunoda
AlphaTauri
1 Lap
13
Guanyu Zhou
Alfa Romeo
1 Lap
14
Nico Hulkenberg
Haas
1 Lap
15
Kevin Magnussen
Haas
1 Lap
16
Alex Albon
Williams
DNF
17
Logan Sargeant
Williams
DNF
18
Lance Stroll
Aston Martin
DNF
19
Sergio Perez
Red Bull
DNF
20
Valtteri Bottas
Alfa Romeo
DNF
Source: Read More