Formula Journal

Everyone made it through the start unscathed with Verstappen leading the pack staying 2 seconds clear of Norris. Throughout the race Oscar stayed behind Lando keen to get past and overtake Max.

Lap 21 Piastri pitted to change his medium compound tyres, to hard tyres which enabled him to last to the chequered flag. Later Max, Lando and Charles pitted. Lando exited the pit 1 second ahead of Max and had the edge, but as he exited so did Max, who ended up in front of him. Lando saw an opportunity to try to overtake Max at the pit exit which meant he ended up in the grass, losing time and sacrificing his chance of getting ahead. Both Red Bull and McLaren pounced on the FIA to tell their story but no further action was taken. Whilst this was happening rookie Kimi Antonelli led the Grand Prix, the youngest ever driver to do so.

Lap 33 Oliver Bearman swapped with his teammate Esteban Ocon who was ahead. Pierre Gasly swapped with Jack Doohan and this begged the question would McLaren swap Lando and Oscar giving him a chance to pass Max.

Lap 43 Oscar relayed to the team that he thought he had the pace to catch Max. The last few laps were tense, Lando turned the 2 second gap between him and Max into just above 1 second, out of DRS, but Oscar was within 1 second from Lando and had that extra push. Unfortunately, Lando locked up on the last lap and couldn’t catch Max.

This was Verstappens 4th consecutive Suzuka win and his first win this season. It was a frustrating race if you’re a McLaren fan but a great race if you’re a Red Bull fan. Lando is still ahead in the Driver’s Championship, but only by 1 point.

Top 10: Verstappen, Norris, Piastri, Leclerc, Russel, Antonelli, Hamilton, Hadjar, Albon, Bearman.