“You built a rocket”: Verstappen gives Red Bull titles in Japan

The Dutchman celebrated his 13th victory in the 16th race of the season in Suzuka on Sunday after his historic winning streak last ended in Singapore. The podium was completed by the convincing McLaren duo Lando Norris (+19.387 seconds) and Oscar Piastri (+36.494) in second and third place.

The Austrian-British racing team was able to celebrate six races before the end of the season at engine partner Honda’s home race despite Sergio Perez’s retirement in the second Red Bull. Red Bull Racing has collected 623 points so far, more than twice as many as Mercedes in second place. It was the sixth constructor’s title for the Austro racing team. Verstappen, who won his 48th GP in Japan, can secure his third world title in a row at the next Grand Prix in Qatar in two weeks. The 25-year-old’s lead in the overall standings is now 177 points over his Mexican pursuer Perez, which means Verstappen could even be celebrating a hat-trick of titles after the sprint on Saturday (October 7th).

“Incredible, you deserve this”

“Incredible, you deserve this. What an incredible season we are having. You have built a rocket,” Verstappen said on the pit radio to his team. For “rookie” Piastri it was the first podium in Formula 1. “It’s very special, I’ll remember it for a long time. Not many people on this planet can do that,” said the 22-year-old Australian.

Norris got by far the best start at the Suzuka International Racing Course. But Verstappen was able to fend off the attack of the Brit, who started from third place, in the first two corners. Piastri was on the front row of the grid for the first time in his F1 career and put Verstappen under pressure on the inside, but finished the first lap in third place. Due to minor collisions in the first corner and therefore car parts lying around, the first of the 53 laps were completed behind a safety car. Perez had to change the front wing after contact with Hamilton.

While Verstappen quickly expanded his lead over the McLaren duo, Hamilton and Russell fought a thrilling duel in the battle for seventh position at short notice – in the absence of Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who underwent knee surgery in Austria. Perez experienced a completely botched race, who first received a five-second penalty in the safety car phase, shortly afterwards Haas driver Kevin Magnussen spun after braking and then parked his car in the pits. It was the first Red Bull failure this year.

Due to the high track temperatures, at least a little tire poker developed. On the 14th lap, Piastri was the first leading driver to switch to a hard set of tires, while Verstappen opted for medium tires three laps later. Like his teammate, Norris got the hardest tires, but ended up behind Piastri. After minor discussions within the team, Norris returned to second place. At the halfway point of the race, Verstappen had a comfortable lead of twelve seconds over his pursuers in orange. On lap 36, Piastri opened the series of second pit stops, but nothing changed in the positions.

Only Russell briefly gave Piastri resistance for the final podium place due to a different strategy. Meanwhile, Perez, who had retired, had to sit in the car and wait to see whether he was allowed on the track again to serve another five-second penalty. The Red Bull driver was ultimately allowed to start his car again. At the front, Verstappen delivered another demonstration of power; the World Cup dominator’s triumph was never in danger.