We expected a rainy race and serious excitement from Suzuka, and we got a perfectly controlled classic victory by Max Verstappen, which was not disturbed by anything, not even the promised precipitation.
Because that was not the case, as were the sparkling battles and fireworks. We will not remember the Japanese Grand Prix as the race of the year, which actually had two main, cardinal moments: one was the start, which Verstappen easily took ahead of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, the McLarens had no chance to change positions. This was not possible on the track due to strength or speed, so Norris and his team wanted to overcome this tactically, which they almost succeeded. Verstappen and Norris practically finished at the same time and rolled out of the pit lane, but it was only thanks to the Dutchman's violence that there was no change of positions.
Thus, Verstappen, Norris, Piastri were in the lead, while Charles Leclerc circled in a vacuum behind them. Even further behind them were the two Mercedes in the lineup of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli - the latter is definitely worth praising for his balanced and excellent performance for a rookie in a top team. The only positive thing about the race - besides Verstappen's flawless performance - was the battle between the two McLarens and the performance of the rookies. Not only did Antonelli excel, Isaac Hadjar also drove to massive points, and Oliver Bearman also appeared among the points scorers again. However, the situation at the front did not change, so in the end Max Verstappen overtook Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to take a terribly smooth, classy victory worthy of his name at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Photo: Independent / Japan GP
