Japanese GP: Max Verstappen sends McLaren reminder, Ferrari woes, Yuki Tsunoda’s first… Read more
The Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka may not have delivered an action-packed race, but it sparked plenty of discussion points. Max Verstappen’s performance was one of the key highlights, as he reminded everyone of his dominance. Heading into qualifying, McLaren looked poised for a strong showing, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri having each claimed a win and pole position earlier in the season. Both McLaren drivers were at the front of the grid during Q3, and it seemed set for a McLaren one-two. However, Verstappen pulled off a stunning last-minute lap to secure pole position, surprising many in the paddock.
Despite McLaren’s dominance throughout practice, Verstappen’s ability to control the race on Sunday, aided by the difficulty of overtaking on Suzuka’s high-speed circuit, allowed him to secure his fourth consecutive win at the track. This victory puts him just one point behind Norris in the standings, temporarily quieting any speculation about an intra-team title fight at McLaren, and reinforcing his pursuit of a fifth consecutive World Championship.
The weekend also featured Ferrari’s continued struggles, Yuki Tsunoda’s first race weekend, and Jack Doohan’s challenges on the track. Fans can look forward to the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix, airing live on Sky Sports F1 from this Fri
day.
