It was a successful iteration of the Japanese Grand Prix, and SBOTOP Formula 1 fans were witnesses to a familiar Red Bull 1-2 finish.
After a forgettable race week in Melbourne, where the reigning World Champions were faced with a rare setback, the Red Bulls, led by their golden boy Max Verstappen, went on a stampede at Suzuka and have gone back to their winning ways in dominant fashion.
Verstappen and Perez led and finished ahead of the pack with a whopping 20-second lead from second-placed Perez to the third-placed Ferrari of Carlos Sainz. This statement win definitely squashes the concerns of Red Bull fans after the team’s abysmal showing during the Australian Grand Prix.
“That was a very lovely race; the car just got better and better,” the Dutchman said over the team radio. It is surely a sign of relief from the Red Bull garage knowing that their three-time world champion is happy and content with their performance, especially amidst on-going gossip around the paddock about Verstappen’s departure from the outfit.
“Overall, we had very good pace, it was just trying to do the best lap you could. I started to lose time from Turn 13 onwards, so it’s very sensitive around here with the tyress,” Verstappen debriefed. A few minor concerns, but a majestic run at Suzuka, to say the least.
With pole position, fastest lap, and race win, Max was on a mission. He has garnered a total of 77 points throughout the young season, with three wins and three podiums. It’s starting to seem like as long as Verstappen finishes the race, he will inevitably win it.
No surprises here, though, as this has been the main theme in the sport for quite some time now. Verstappen was the Japanese Grand Prix 2024 odds favourite coming into the race, and his unworldly performance at Suzuka is an attestation as to why the numbers favour him on a weekly basis.
Carlos Sainz bolstering his CV
Ferrari finally have a competitive car this season. While it may not be able to go wheel-to-wheel with Red Bull’s pace, the Scuderia drivers have made it evident that they are the second-fastest team on the grid.
The Prancing Horse finished third and fourth at Suzuka, posing as the only real threat to the raging Red Bulls.
After finishing in third place, Carlos Sainz once again finds himself on the podium. He ties Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez with the most podium appearances in the season with three, stealing a win from Red Bull to boot.
The Spaniard has been the talk of the town ever since Ferrari’s decision to not sign the accomplished driver in 2025. After strong Japanese Grand Prix 2024 results, his stock just keeps on rising, and he surely won’t have any trouble finding his next employer.
He has finished better than his running mate, Charles Leclerc, in all of the races he has participated in. At Suzuka, Sainz had a dominating pace over Leclerc, zooming past the checkered flag six seconds faster than the Monegasques.
Due to his withdrawal from the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Sainz still trails Leclerc in the drivers’ standings by three points, but with the pace and trajectory these teammates are on, it should be only a matter of time until the Spaniard cruises past his teammate and rival Leclerc.
Yuki Tsunoda performs in home race
It was a moment of pride and glory for Yuki Tsunoda as he finished 10th in his home race at Suzuka. Japanese fans swarmed the track in support of their compatriot, and to their delight, Tsunoda delivered.
Tsunoda managed to finish in points, becoming the first Japanese-born driver to score at home since 2012, securing much-needed points to separate themselves from the bottom of the pack.
Thanks to Tsunoda, RB now have seven total points in the season, adding to their lead over their rivals Haas. “It feels amazing,” the RB driver said after the race. “After a long two years of being unable to score points (in Japan), it’s a very happy feeling,” Yuki stated.
It was a stellar home race from Tsunoda, and RB should have no concerns about their home-grown talent. Dani Ricciardo, on the other hand, had RB shrugging and scratching their heads once again.
The Honey Badger crashed out in the first lap of the race, immediately disqualifying him from making any contribution to RB’s cause.This comes at the most inopportune time for Ricciardo, as he’s currently in the hot seat after lacklustre performances that don’t meet the team’s standards. Lagging behind his teammate Yuki Tsunoda, RB are reportedly considering slotting in their promising talent, Liam Lawson, to replace Ricciardo.
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