MAX VERSTAPPEN returned to his standard spot as he took his first win of the season in Japan.

The Crimson Bull driver edged out Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri the identical means he did in qualifying as he received his fourth consecutive Japanese Grand Prix – the primary driver in historical past to take action at Suzuka.

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Verstappen had earned pole place in qualification by setting an “extremely rewarding” report lap around the Suzuka Circuit.

And he used that benefit to nip proper in entrance of Norris from the off, staying in entrance of the Brit for all the race.

In reality, Verstappen was main the pack for all the race, barring the laps he used to catch up following his pit cease.

It was that pit cease that seemed prefer it might have been a turning level, as each the Dutchman and Norris got here in on the identical time.

Championship chief Norris seemed like he was going to squeeze previous Verstappen because the pair returned to the observe, however as an alternative acquired caught within the grass and misplaced a second on his rival.

From there, each Norris and Piastri have been spending the remainder of the race attempting to make up floor on the four-time world champion.

Birthday boy Piastri was really trying the quicker of the 2 McLaren drivers, however a call was made to go away Norris in second to maintain the 25-year-old in high spot within the Drivers’ Standings.

Verstappen crossed the road in 1:22:06.983, with Norris trailing behind by simply 1.423 seconds and Piastri taking third spot by 2.129.

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Charles Leclerc took fourth for Ferrari, whereas Mercedes pair George Russell and Kimi Antonelli made up fifth and sixth place.

That make-up is the very same as yesterday’s qualification.

Which means it is the primary time in historical past that the highest six has stayed the very same on a everlasting race observe.

Lewis Hamilton was the perfect of the remainder in seventh spot, however nonetheless completed effectively behind any form of podium spot.

Verstappen stated on the staff radio: “What an unbelievable weekend. What a turnaround. We win collectively, we preserve pushing collectively.”

Whereas in a post-race interview, he added: “The 2 McLarens have been pushing me very exhausting. It began off fairly robust this weekend and we needed to preserve enhancing the automotive, however at the moment it was in high type.

“It is necessary to all the time maximise your efficiency and I believe we did that this weekend”.

Norris was requested after the race his thought on the incident that noticed him head by means of the track-side grass after the pit cease, admitting it is simply a part of the race.

He stated: “Max is the final man I count on to present me area. In a great way, in a aggressive racing means.”

Elsewhere 18-year-old rookie Kimi Antonelli managed the quickest lap across the observe in a promising begin to life on the observe.

Whereas Yuki Tsunoda improved on his qualification disappointment with a twelfth positioned end, ending the race 5 spots above the person he changed at Crimson Bull, Liam Lawson.

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