Verstappen wins Japanese GP; Red Bull takes constructors’ title

Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates Red Bull Racing’s 2023 Constructors’ Championship victory with his team after the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka International Racing Course on September 24, 2023 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Russell’s gamble failed to pay off – after the McLarens passed him, both into Turn One, he was then passed by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc for fourth with a lovely move around the outside of Turns One and Two.

In the closing laps, Russell also lost out to Hamilton and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and dropped down to seventh, with Hamilton fifth and Sainz sixth.

It was all window-dressing compared to the imperious Verstappen, though, who was once again in a league of his own, his driving justifying the quality of one of the greatest racing cars ever built as Red Bull clinched a second constructors’ championship in a row and a sixth in all.

Verstappen is now likely to win the drivers’ title at the next race in Qatar, quite possibly in Saturday’s sprint race.

As long as Perez does not score six more points than Verstappen in the sprint at Losail, the Dutchman will be champion for a third time. (BBC Sport)