F1 Japanese Grand Prix: Red Bull in 1-2 finish as Max Verstappen bounces back from Melbourne misfire with dominant win

Three-time defending champion led from start to finish ahead of Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz of Ferrari

He has won 22 of the past 26 races and has a points total of 77, 13 clear of Perez, followed by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc

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Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (left) with second-placed teammate, Sergio Perez, after the award ceremony for the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka on Sunday. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 8:05pm, 7 Apr 2024Updated: 8:10pm, 7 Apr 2024

Max Verstappen’s record-breaking dominance in Formula 1 resumed Sunday with his victory in the Japanese Grand Prix, leading almost the entire race on a sunny day in central Japan.

His abrupt breakdown two weeks ago in Melbourne, Australia, looks like a blip in his total command over F1. He was out on the fourth lap when he rear brakes caught fire.

Nothing like that this time.

Verstappen basically led from start to finish except briefly after a pit stop. He was followed across the finish line by Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez – 12.5 seconds behind – and Carlos Sainz of Ferrari. Sainz was 20 seconds off the pace.

Verstappen (left) celebrates with his Red Bull team after the race. Photo: Xinhua

The three-time defending F1 champion is again this season’s points leader and now has won 22 of the past 26 races dating from the start of the 2023 season. Only two other drivers have won in that span – Red Bull teammate Perez and Sainz, the winner in Australia two weeks ago.