We were expecting a rainy race and intense emotions from Suzuka, but we practically received a masterful victory from Max Verstappen, which was not interrupted by anything, not even the promised rain.
Well, that never happened, just like the brilliant battles and fireworks. We won't remember the Japanese Grand Prix as the race of the year, which actually had two key moments: the first was the start, where Verstappen easily led Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, with the McLarens having no opportunity to change position. Thus, on the track, they also failed to do so due to strength and pace, so Norris and his team tried to do it tactically, which almost worked out well for them. Verstappen and Norris practically finished at the same time and left the pits, only the Dutchman's aggressiveness prevented a change of position.
Thus, the sequence was Verstappen, Norris, and Piastri at the front, while behind them, in a void, Charles Leclerc was spinning. At an even greater distance, the two Mercedes followed in the formation of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli; the latter deserves praise for his balanced and excellent performance as a rookie in an elite team. The only positive aspect of the race, apart from Verstappen's impeccable performance, was the battle between the two McLarens and the performance of the rookies. Not only Antonelli shone; Isaac Hadjar was also determined to score points, and Oliver Bearman again appeared among the punctual finishers. However, at the front, the situation remained unchanged, so in the end Max Verstappen, beating Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, achieved a masterful victory, befitting its name, at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Photo: Independent / Japan GP
