The Japanese Grand Prix finished Sunday with Max Verstappen in poll position, meaning that the Constructor’s Championship belongs to Red Bull Racing!
This is the sixth championship win for Red Bull since the team started in formula 1 in 2005, and it is the second in a row.
The team’s win comes after much difficulty in the Singapore Grand Prix the previous weekend, where Verstappen finished in fifth place, losing his record 11-race winning streak. Sergio Perez finished in 8th the same race, making Singapore a blow to Red Bull.
Verstappen, the two-time world champion was also experiencing difficulties during the practice stages of Singapore, finishing behind both Ferrari’s in free practice one, which came as a shock to many after recent difficulties in the Ferrari garage.
However, Red Bull was back up in no time this weekend, with Red Bull’s star driver winning the race by almost twenty seconds, leading Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to a strong, double-podium finish for Mclaren.
Perez, however, did not complete the race after a messy restart incident leading him to DNF not once, but twice.
Perez and Hamilton collided on only lap one, damaging Perez’ front wing, for which he suffered a five second penalty for overtaking during unsafe conditions.
After pitting in order to repair the damage on the car, Perez raced for only four more laps before colliding with Haas’ Kevin Magnussen and retiring back to the garage.
Although Perez’ finish was disappointing, it was no problem for Red Bull as they clutched the Constructors Championship for the second season in a row, and it was certainly no problem for his teammate, Max Verstappen.
While a 3rd Driver’s Championship win was easily foreseeable for Verstappen, Perez’ finish has almost set it in stone; after the race at Suzuka, Perez stands at 223 points in the championship with Verstappen 177 points ahead of him after his first place finish and fastest lap performance.
Verstappen can solidify the championship next race in Qatar, during the Saturday sprint race or on Sunday, during the Grand Prix at Losail Circuit on October 8th.
