Verstappen wins Japanese Grand Prix

Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen hailed his "predictable" Red Bull after taking a giant step towards a third straight title and helping his team clinch the constructors' championship by winning the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday. The flying Dutchman finished ahead of McLaren pair Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in Suzuka to extend his runaway lead in the overall standings to 177 points over nearest challenger and teammate Sergio Perez.

Verstappen can win the championship at the Qatar Grand Prix next month and he may not even have to wait until the Sunday race if he seals the deal in the Saturday sprint. Verstappen's champagne is still on ice but he celebrated Red Bull's second straight constructors' championship in Japan, even though Perez retired from the race.

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Verstappen has won 13 of 16 races so far this season and he said his car "is just better this year". "The people are pretty much in the same spot and we know that they're good," he said. "It's about working with an even better car this year. A bit more predictable this year as well." Verstappen was back to his breathtaking best after a disappointing fifth-place finish at last week's Singapore Grand Prix.

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