English
English
Contents
The 2023 Japanese Grand Prix witnessed its fair share of twists, turns, and DNFs. And we're not talking about the track! Bottas, Stroll, Sergeant, Albon, and, uniquely, Perez, twice. That's right – a Red Bull car didn't finish the race twice! Ready to dive into the high-octane events at the Japanese GP? Buckle up!
Lights Out
Starting on pole – Verstappen’s second home – Max found himself under siege from the McLarens straight off the bat. However, he skilfully fended them off. With Piastri sidelined, Norris seized the opportunity and lunged into P2, hot on the heels of the leading Dutchman.
Drama unfurled further down the grid. In an earnest attempt to steer clear of Sainz, Perez ironically ended up tagging Hamilton. That marked the first chapter in Perez’s tumultuous Suzuka story. The Safety Car was summoned early, prompting a flurry of strategic pit stops and reshuffling of positions.
Sargeant's day wasn't any less eventful. After the disheartening penalty from qualifying, his race took a further hit. Involved in a scuffle with Bottas, his Williams rear-ended the Finn, leading to heated radio exchanges and yet another penalty. Bottas’ day came to a premature end shortly after, adding to Alfa Romeo’s woes.
Track Tactics
After a flurry of pit stops, tension was rising. Alonso's frustration with the Aston Martin's pit wall was palpable on the strategic frontier. Feeling betrayed by his team's early pit-stop call, he commented that he had been thrown out to the lions, as he could barely defend his position.
On the other hand, Russell held P2 for a long time—a potential one-stop strategy. Tire choices took center stage as the race evolved. While Verstappen built a formidable lead, underlying tire wars bubbled. Norris and Piastri on hards, contrasting with Leclerc, Sainz, and others on mediums, created opportunities for position swaps. Russell's audacious attempt at a one-stop had him battling degraded rubber towards the end as Norris and Sainz capitalized on their fresher tires.
Chequered Flag
As the laps dwindled, the strategies unfolded in their full glory. Verstappen's consistent pace upfront underscored Red Bull's perfect execution. Norris and Piastri, benefitting from their strategies, cemented their podium finishes.
Ferraris and Mercedes battled hard for the subsequent positions, with Leclerc, Hamilton, Sainz, and Russell proving their mettle. With help from some team orders, of course.
In the end, the Red Bull garage exploded with jubilant cheers. Verstappen's mastery and the points haul ensured the team their sixth constructors’ championship. Now that's what you call a grand finale finish!
Until the next race in Qatar, keep your engines revving and spirits high! We’ll find out if Verstappen continues his streak of winning the Drivers’ Championship in the most unconventional ways…or not?!