Max Verstappen: 'Lucky' start secured Japanese Grand Prix victory for Red Bull
- Rob Fleming
- 25 September 2023
Red Bull's Max Verstappen clinched victory at the Japanese GP on Sunday, admitting he was "lucky" to fend off fierce competition from McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris at the start.
As the lights went out, both Piastri and Norris made blistering starts, positioning themselves alongside Verstappen into the challenging right-hand first corner. Verstappen, however, craftily angled himself towards Piastri. Norris, taking the outside line, initially surged ahead through Turn 1. Yet, Verstappen executed a daring move by switching to the inside after surpassing Piastri, forcing Norris wide on the double apex exit.
Throughout the race, Verstappen displayed unwavering composure, even in the face of a Safety Car and two Virtual Safety Cars. He only momentarily relinquished the lead during the pit-stop sequence, ultimately securing Red Bull's 16th win of the season and the team's sixth Constructors' Championship.
Reflecting on the intense moment, Verstappen stated, "I saw Lando coming on the left with a lot of speed. He then shifted a bit to the right, and I thought, 'I can't go further right!'. So, I tried to stay straight, and fortunately, nothing untoward occurred. It got quite tight, but that's racing. We had a thrilling battle into Turn 1 and Turn 2. I was fortunate that the normal racing line in Turn 2 offered better grip."
This triumphant performance followed Red Bull's disappointing outing in Singapore, where their streak of 15 consecutive wins was snapped. Questions arose about whether the team's car advantage had diminished.
Verstappen emphatically answered these doubts in Suzuka, where he dominated every session except Q2. His qualifying lap was more than half a second ahead of the competition, signifying a return to form for Red Bull.
Speaking about his rejuvenated experience behind the wheel, Verstappen remarked, "After that, the car was very pleasant to drive again. I could manage the tires effectively, and degradation was under control. Our strategy with Medium tires, as opposed to others using two sets of Hards, worked out well.
"The balance remained stable, with good traction throughout the stint. Honestly, no significant issues during the race. It encapsulates what a phenomenal weekend it has been driving the car."
Looking ahead, the Formula 1 circus heads to the Qatar Grand Prix, the 18th race of the season, scheduled for the weekend of October 6-8.
The Losail International Circuit, a permanent venue located just outside Lusail, north of Doha, will host the event, promising another thrilling chapter in this gripping season.
