Verstappen and ‘Checo’ make another 1-2 in the Japanese GP

Red Bull is in charge and the Dutchman Max Verstappen is at the helm, there is no doubt about that. On the fourth date of Formula One 2024, the three-time series champion was unbeatable from the start and won the Japanese Grand Prix. His teammate, the Mexican Sergio Pérez, was also up to the task and took second place, his third podium of the season; both maintained the positions they secured in the ratings.

A bad sign was the curtain for the Japanese Grand Prix. Just the first lap threw a red flag after the collision between Alex Albon, from Williams – who crashed into the retaining wall – and Danniel Ricciardo, from RB.

More than half an hour of waiting to resume the race after that incident, just when the pilots were beginning to secure their positions, to close the spaces that could be used by others, when the mishap occurred from which the pilots involved emerged unharmed.

The privileged Red Bull, with Max Verstappen on pole and Sergio Pérez in second position on the starting grid, had to cool things off for a few minutes until they restarted the race at the Suzuka circuit.

As soon as the race resumed, the track was on fire again. The Mexican fiercely guarded the slight advantage against McLaren’s Lando Norris, who bit into the threatening terrain. Behind in the fight were Carlos Sainz of Ferrari and Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin.

Pérez stopped to change tires and Lando Norris wanted to take advantage of that start, but he put it at risk with the wear of the wheels. Too risky a bet.

If Verstappen makes a stop to change tires, recovering the lead seems like an inevitable inertia, an almost natural consequence. Checo, on the other hand, had to fight inch by inch to overtake on a circuit that is famous for the difficulty it offers to overtaking. However, the Mexican managed to return to his position behind the Dutchman, leader of the race; He had to go for Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari with the hunger of a predator and he achieved it.

Then the Ferrari of the Spanish Carlos Sainz became the shadow of Pérez and pushed to snatch second place from him. Now the Iberian, now Norris or Leclerc, a game that was defined by the stops to change tires like movements on a chess board.

Red Bull’s rules remain in force. Verstappen crossed in an insurmountable way and behind him his teammate Checo Pérez entered to make his third 1-2 of the season. Carlos Sainz completed the podium in third place.