Max Verstappen returned to successful methods to go a powerful Purple Bull one-two in a Japanese GP that was restarted following a giant first-lap crash involving Daniel Ricciardo and Alex Albon.
A fortnight after struggling a shock first race retirement in two years in Australia in a race gained by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, Verstappen hit again in dominant model at Suzuka with the world champion beating team-mate Sergio Perez by 12 seconds.
Verstappen needed to navigate two begins on the grid from pole place after the race was red-flagged on the primary lap after RB’s Ricciardo tangled with Williams’ Albon and each spun off right into a heavy impression with the limitations.
After a 30-minute delay whereas the stricken vehicles have been cleared away and the barrier repaired, Verstappen once more held the race lead from Perez and set off into the lead in a race dominated by differing tyre methods by the highest 10.
Sainz took third to take care of his 100 per cent podium-finishing report in 2024, though needed to overtake Charles Leclerc for the place late on to take action after his Ferrari team-mate impressed on an unconventional one-stop technique after a poor qualifying had left him eighth on the grid.
Lando Norris was leapfrogged by each Ferraris by the race and ended up fifth, with Fernando Alonso sixth after a profitable rearguard motion within the closing phases from apparently quicker vehicles behind.
That was initially in opposition to McLaren’s Oscar Piastri however the Australian was overtaken on the ultimate lap by Mercedes’ George Russell. Nonetheless, the Briton is below investigation for forcing Piastri off monitor on the chicane a number of laps earlier than.
Lewis Hamilton, who had earlier let Russell by on his personal accord throughout the first stint because the Mercedes initially pursued a one-stop technique, was ninth.
And Yuki Tsunoda gave the passionate Japanese crowd purpose to cheer by taking the ultimate level in tenth.
What occurred within the Ricciardo-Albon collision?
Ricciardo and Albon tangled on the strategy to Flip Three because the pack snaked by Suzuka’s iconic Esses for the primary time.
Being challenged by Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll on the within and Albon on the skin as they approached the left-hander, Ricciardo got here throughout to the correct to take the standard racing line, however the RB’s right-rear tyre tagged the Williams’ left-front and the contact despatched each vehicles off monitor and into the limitations.
“I think Ricciardo reacts to Stroll on his left-hand side,” mentioned Sky Sports activities F1’s Anthony Davidson. “That’s unfortunate. It wasn’t Albon’s fault and it wasn’t Ricciardo’s.
“Ricciardo goes for the racing line and three into one does not actually go. It is a racing incident and fallacious place, fallacious time for Albon.”
More to follow…
Next up is the return of the Chinese Grand Prix on April 19-21, which is also the first Sprint weekend of the season. Watch every session live on Sky Sports F1 and steam every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
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