Normal service officially resumed last weekend at Suzuka, and a minor stumble at the line simply delayed Red Bull’s collection of its sixth Formula 1 constructors’ championship. Singapore? Merely a blip; Max Verstappen’s usual order of a leisurely Sunday afternoon cruise to victory was made almost inevitable following his demolition job of the rest of the field in qualifying.
The team’s all-conquering RB19 had proved a tricky customer at Marina Bay a week prior, but the nature of the fast-and-flowing Suzuka circuit ensured that it was back to full strength. It was putty in the hands of Verstappen, and even Lewis Hamilton was complimentary of the car ahead of the weekend, suggesting that he was looking forward to watching the Dutchman’s laps after the Japanese Grand Prix. The car had everything from speed, compliance and predictability: a racing driver’s holy trifecta.
Despite joining Verstappen on the front row through Oscar Piastri, McLaren didn’t think it had much of a chance of providing a challenge beyond the opening corners. Lando Norris jokingly suggested that Piastri should “emulate Ayrton Senna” into Turn 1 if McLaren was to have a chance of winning, in deference to the Brazilian’s infamous clash with Alain Prost at the same place in 1990. Amusingly, Piastri found himself in what he later described as the “perfect” position if he was ever going to pull that move off.
Verstappen’s start was marginally slower than the two McLarens that swarmed him on the run into the first corner. Piastri had the inside line and Norris the outside, which forced Verstappen into making a choice of where to defend ahead of the Esses. He guessed right to cover
