Japanese Grand Prix 2023: Verstappen powers Red Bull to Constructors’ title
Normal service resumed in Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix as Max Verstappen cruised to a dominating win and although Verstappen was the only Red Bull to finish the race, his dominating drive saw Red Bull secure their sixth Constructors' title after they wrapped up the Constructors' Title 2023. This was also Red Bull’s consecutive Constructors’ title after winning it last season as well. McLaren scored a double podium with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finishing second and third ahead of Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, Carlos Sainz, George Russell, Fernando Alonso, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly rounding out the points places. With two McLaren's close behind him, pole sitter Verstappen had to fend off Oscar Piastri once the lights went out but it almost saw Lando Norris take the lead although Verstappen managed to see off both McLarens to keep the lead heading into the first corner while Norris made up a place on his teammate Piastri inside the first corner.A bit Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson came together as did Valtteri Bottas and Alex Albon, with Bottas and Albon's incident bringing out the Safety Carin the opening lap. Sergio Pérez came in for an early stop under the Safety Car as the Mexican also came together with Lewis Hamilton on the opening lap which damaged his front wing. The Safety Car came in on lap 5 and Verstappen got the perfect start this time as he sped off with the two McLaren's behind. Within two laps of the restart, Verstappen was over two seconds clear of Norris and while Verstappen was cruising up front his teammate Sergio Pérez picked Guaynu Zhou for 16th place on lap 8. Bottas became the first retiree of the race, as the Finn retired after a second collision with Logan Sargeant, who rammed into the Alfa Romeo to damage Bottas' car. Sargeant was eventually given a five second penalty for crashing into Bottas. Sergio Pérez also received a five second penalty for Safety Car infringement, where he overtook under the Safety Car whilst coming out post his pitstop.
