We expected a rainy race and some serious excitement from Suzuki, but what we got was an almost perfectly controlled victory for Max Verstappen, which was unspoiled by anything, not even the promised rainfall.
Because it didn't come, just like the sparkling duels and fireworks. We won't remember the Japanese Grand Prix as a race of the year that had basically two main, cardinal moments: the first was the start, which Verstappen easily made ahead of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, the McLarens had no chance to change positions. Then on the track it also didn't work out either with strength or pace, so Norris and his team wanted to do it tactically, which almost worked. Verstappen and Norris finished practically at the same time and left the pit lane, only thanks to the aggressiveness of the Dutchman there was no change of places.
So, in the order of Verstappen, Norris, Piastri, the lead took place, while behind them Charles Leclerc circled in the void. Even further away were the two Mercedes in the line-up of George Russell, Kimi Antonelli - the latter deserves praise for his balanced and great performance as a debutant in a top team. The only positive thing about the race - apart from Verstappen's flawless production - was the fight between the two McLarens and the performance of the debutants. Well, not only Antonelli shone, Isaac Hadjar also aimed to score solid points, and Oliver Bearman once again appeared among the scorers. However, the situation in the leading position did not change, so in the end Max Verstappen, ahead of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, took an extremely smooth, deserved victory in the Japanese Grand Prix.
Photo: Independent / Japan GP
