Max on top form in Japan
Three races have been completed and already it looks to be a gripping season.
Max Verstappen was back to his brilliant best at Suzuka, winning the Japanese Grand Prix in style.
The top three, Verstappen (Red Bull), Lando Norris (McLaren) in second and Oscar Piastri (McLaren) in third – put tremendous pressure on each other the entire race.
In fourth place was the first Ferrari, driven by Charles Leclerc, just 16 seconds behind the top three.
The cars from Maranello are still not quite there in terms of top flight competitiveness, but it is not for want of trying.
They have two excellent drivers in Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, who are driving the wheels off their cars without getting the results they deserve.
The potential is there, however, and with a little more competitiveness from the cars, they can be there to share the spoils.
Hamilton finished three places behind Leclerc, also after a good drive from his poor position on the grid.
In fifth and sixth places were the two Mercedes Silver Arrows, with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli giving their best and fully justifying their good results at the flag.
Merc also need a little more development to get them back to the levels expected of this great team.
In eighth position came the new tiger in the tank by the name of Isack Hadjar (RB), who is I believe another rookie like Antonelli with great potential.
In ninth place was the first of the Williams team, Alexander Albon after a good drive; his teammate Carlos Sainz finished 14th after a difficult drive.
In the final points scoring position was Oliver Bearman in his Haas Ferrari.
It was an excellent race at the highly technical Japanese track, which tends to result in a high class of racing.
Next race is the Bahrain Grand Prix at the Jeddah Street Circuit.
DRIVERS
1 Lando Norris 62
2 Max Verstappen 61
3 Oscar Piastri 49
4 George Russell 45
5 Kimi Antonelli 30
6 Charles Leclerc 20
7 Alex Albon 18
8 Lewis Hamilton 15
9 Esteban Ocon 10
10 Lance Stroll 10
CONSTRUCTORS
1 McLaren 111
2 Mercedes 75
3 Red Bull 61
4 Ferrari 35
5 Williams 19
HAVE YOUR SAY
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