Formula 1: What is Max Verstappen’s points lead after the Japanese Grand Prix?
Any doubt about the reigning world champion’s ability to get back to winning ways was put to rest after a dominant performance at the Suzuka track
After leading for almost the entire race Max Verstappen once again showed that he has no intention of letting up when it comes to record-breaking performances in Formula 1. Indeed, his sudden breakdown in Melbourne, Australia when his rear brakes caught fire now seems like a distant memory.
Max Verstappen continues to shine
From the moment the flag waved in Tokyo this weekend it was clear that Max Verstappen was a man on a mission. Despite the fact that there was a red flag on the opening lap of the Grand Prix following a collision between Daniel Ricciardo and Alex Albon, there was little to be done in the way of stopping the Dutchman from taking yet another checkered flag as he led for essentially the entire race. What’s more is that with Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez crossing the line 12.5 seconds later, the victory marked the third 1-2 finish for the team in four races.
As for the rest, it was Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz who completed the top three after making a late overtake on his teammate Charles Leclerc to secure his spot on the podium. Sainz for his part was 20 seconds off the pace. Regarding Verstappen, the three-time defending F1 champion is once again the points leader this season and has now won a staggering 22 of the last 26 races which date all the way back to the start of the 2023 season. To be clear, only two other drivers have won during that time: Red Bull teammate Perez and Sainz who managed to take the top spot in Australia two weeks ago.
*2024 Japanese Grand Prix - Full Results*
| Position | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | Lap 53 |
| 2 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull | +12.535 |
| 3 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | +20.866 |
| 4 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +26.522 |
| 5 | Lando Norris | McClaren | +26.700 |
| 6 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | +44.272 |
| 7 | George Russell | Mercedes | +45.951 |
| 8 | Oscar Piastri | McClaren | +47.525 |
| 9 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | +48.626 |
| 10 | Yuki Tsunoda | VCARB | 1L |
| 11 | Nico Hulkenberg | Haas | 1L |
| 12 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 1L |
| 13 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas | 1L |
| 14 | Valtteri Botas | Stake | 1L |
| 15 | Esteban Olcon | Alpine | 1L |
| 16 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 1L |
| 17 | Logan Sargeant | Williams | 1L |
| 18 | Guanyu Zhou | Stake | DNF |
| 19 | Daniel Ricciardo | VCARB | Retired after crash |
| 20 | Alexander | Williams | Retired after crash |
“That was a very lovely race,” Verstappen said on the team radio shortly after crossing the line. Later, he spoke to tactics seemingly acknowledging the crash that forced both Ricciardo and Albon to retire after a 30-minute delay - without serious injury. “The critical bit was the start to stay ahead and after that, the car just got better and better,” he said. “It couldn’t have been any been any better.”
The win brings Verstappen’s points total to 77 for the season, meaning he is now 13 points clear of Perez who sits on 64. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc is third with 59, while Sainz holds fourth with 55. Concerning what comes next, the teams will now head to Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix which has not been staged since 2019 due to the covid-19 pandemic. “It’s going to be quite hectic,” Verstappen said.
“We haven’t been there in a while — only one practice session to get into it again. So I think it will be quite interesting.” The 26-year-old also addressed rumors that he might leave Red Bull, possibly for Mercedes, and even appeared to hint at early retirement. “From my side, I’m very happy where I am. And, yeah, we want to keep it that way. ...I have a contract with Red Bull until 28. After that, I first want to see if I actually even want to continue. That’s for me the most important.”