F1 Japanese GP Live Commentary and Updates - Race
Minute-by-minute updates for the 2023 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix
Max Verstappen will start from pole position as Red Bull stand on the brink of a sixth constructors' championship. Should the Dutchman and team-mate Sergio Perez combine to outscore Mercedes, the title will be secured at Suzuka.
Oscar Piastri became the first rookie to qualify on the front row since Nico Hulkenberg in 2010, and he is followed by his McLaren counterpart Lando Norris in third.
The Ferrari paring of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz sandwich Segio Perez to round out the top six, with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton just behind.
The Japanese Grand Prix will get under way at 6am BST.
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And with that, we will bid you farewell until Qatar. Congratulations to constructors' champions Red Bull and race winner Verstappen.
To catch up on all the action, the race report is below.
https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/f1-japanese-gp-race-report/10524573/
To catch up on all the action, the race report is below.
https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/f1-japanese-gp-race-report/10524573/
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB19, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL60
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
As Verstappen climbs onto the top step of the podium, a familiar pair of anthems ring out at Suzuka.
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"Interesting," was Norris' reaction to Perez's crash with Magnussen. Verstappen was noticeably silent when that clip was shown.
"Oh my God," says Verstappen as the top three watch back the lap one carnage.
Reflecting on Perez's dreadful race, Horner adds "it wasn't his day" and that he expects the Mexican to bounce back in Qatar.
Horner gets a word on and pays tribute to "the hard work of everybody in Milton Keynes".
Verstappen hails Red Bull's "incredible year" as he reflects on a "straightforward race" beyond the Turn 1 threat from Norris and Piastri.
With the focus on Verstappen and Piastri, it's very easy to forget that Norris finished in P2 and scored back-to-back podiums.
"The progress we've made is pretty outstanding," says Norris. The team is consistently second-best now, so expectations for 2024 will inevitably be growing.
"The progress we've made is pretty outstanding," says Norris. The team is consistently second-best now, so expectations for 2024 will inevitably be growing.
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"I'll remember this for a very, very long time," says Piastri as he thanks McLaren.
In the constructors' race for P4, things are closing between McLaren and Aston Martin. The former arrived in Japan trailing by 78 points, and the margin is now below 50. With six races to go, this battle has a long way to run.
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"We're coming for Red Bull," says Norris. His ambition is clear after another supreme performance.
Russell, Alonso, Ocon and Gasly round out the top 10.
Leclerc is fourth and Hamilton holds on from Sainz for P5.
But for now, let's focus on McLaren as Norris takes second and Piastri scores his maiden F1 podium in third.
Verstappen can clinch the drivers' crown in the Qatar sprint in a fortnight.
Checkered flag
The chequered flag is taken by Verstappen, and Red Bull are the 2023 Formula 1 constructors' champions!
While Verstappen has been out of sight for the duration, this has been a striking return to form. A 13th win of the year, a 48th of his career, and the constructors' championship for Red Bull. Not a bad Japanese GP for Red Bull all told!
Verstappen currently has a 20s lead with Norris 16s clear of third-placed Piastri.
Onto the final lap we go and Verstappen has been faultless today.
Hamilton is told to keep giving Russell DRS but Sainz is all over him. Sainz pulls to the inside of Turn 1 and Russell will be apoplectic in his cockpit.
Russell's advice is not heeded, and the positions are swapped. After "playing the team game," Russell does not hide his frustration on the radio.
"Revert positions," says Mercedes. Russell counters that they should "do this on the last lap" and use DRS to copy Sainz's tactic from Singapore last week.
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After failing to pass this time, Hamilton tells Mercedes, "We're going to lose both of these positions," if he is not allowed past Russell.
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"Give each other room," is the only instruction so far from Mercedes.
The Mercedes battle is not the only one between team-mates, as Ocon is less than 1s behind Gasly, and the same goes for Lawson and Tsunoda.
Ferrari heartrates can ease. No further action on Leclerc.
But hold on a second, Leclerc is under investigation for his move on Russell, after running wide across the kerb when completing the pass.
Catching both Mercedes drivers is Sainz in P7. The Ferrari man is just over one second behind the pair.
Hamilton is now back up with Russell. Team orders or let them race? This will be interesting after the earlier incident.
Leclerc finally makes his move, braving it around the outside of turns one and two. That was as close as you can get without contact.
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"If there's a safety car now, we can pit but we'd lose three positions. Would you do it?" McLaren ask Piastri. "Yeah, I'd do it," is the response.
Lap 44 and its close, but not close enough for Leclerc on Russell. Meanwhile, Hamilton is still closing.
There is no let-up for Russell as Leclerc is now on his gearbox. Hamilton is also rapidly closing on his Mercedes team-mate.
The Perez saga continues. Having rejoined the race, the Mexican is told by his Red Bull team to "retire the car". Your guess is as good as ours.
A clean exit out of the Spoon, a good run through 130R...Piastri makes it stick this time around the outside of Turn 1. The Australian is 10 laps from a maiden F1 podium.
Outside the points, Lawson is some 13s behind Gasly and is being gradually caught by AlphaTauri team-mate Tsunoda.
By: Autosport Staff
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