Verstappen Returns To Winning Ways With Dominant Performance In Japan

Max Verstappen returned the top spot of the podium at the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix after dominating from start to finish.

The Australian Grand Prix ended in a disaster for the Dutch driver, as he was forced to retire his car early in the race because of a break issue, that he hoped Red Bull would avoid at the Suzuka Circuit.

Prior to the race, the three-time World Champion admitted that the team was taking measures to avoid a similar issue, and they seemingly did a good job doing that, as he avoided any technical issues during the race.

Not just technical issues, as the driver with number 1 on his car didn't have any driving issues during the race either. He started well, getting ahead of his teammate Sergio Perez, but they would repeat the start only a few minutes later, after Daniel Ricciardo and Alex Albon crashed, causing a red flag.

The Dutchman handled the restart from standing positions well once again, and from there, he managed the pace, as he was getting away from his Mexican teammate with every lap.

There wasn't really a fight for the win, as Verstappen dominated the race, but he didn't lead in every lap in the race, as Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc tried strategies that saw them lead a race for a brief moment.

Still, the team from Maranello wasn't able to challenge Red Bulls, as Verstappen controlled the pace in front, even saving his tires to record the fastest lap of the race in the closing stages.

Perez came in second, and after Leclerc struggled with his tires, due to being the only top driver to go only for one stop, Sainz was able to overtake him and join Red Bulls on the podium, finishing third, ahead of the fourth Leclerc.

Verstappen's win means that he keeps his lead in the World Drivers' Championship, with Perez moving up to the second place.