We expected a rainy race and serious excitement from Suzuka, and we practically got a perfectly controlled classic win by Max Verstappen, unmolested by anything, not even the promised crashes.
Because they didn't show up, just like the sparkling battles and fireworks. We won't remember the Japanese Grand Prix as the race of the year, which had essentially two main, cardinal moments: one was the start, which Verstappen easily managed in front of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastre, the McLarens had no chance to change positions. That was not possible on the track either with power or pace, so Norris and his team wanted to manage it tactically, which they almost succeeded. Verstappen and Norris practically finished at the same time and came out of the pits, only thanks to the Dutch aggression did the positions not change.
So, Verstappen, Norris, Piastr were lined up at the front, while Charles Leclerc was driving in the empty space behind them. Even further behind them were the two Mercedes in the lineup of George Russell, Kimi Antonelli - the latter should definitely be praised for the balanced and great performance he showed as a rookie in a top team. The only positive of the race - apart from Verstappen's flawless performance - was the battle of the two McLarens and the performance of the rookies. Because not only Antonelli was doing well, Isaac Hadjar was also striving for massive points and Oliver Bearman appeared among the points scorers again. However, the situation at the front did not change, so in the end Max Verstappen, overtaking Lando Norris and Oscar Piastr, achieved an incredibly smooth, classic victory deserved to his name at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Photo: Independent / Japan GP
