Japanese Grand Prix: Editor’s Top/Flop

Max Verstappen impressive

After the first two Grand Prix of the season, McLaren was thought to be unbeatable in Japan, but that was without counting on Max Verstappen. The Dutchman achieved an unexpected pole position on Saturday, just 12 thousandths of a second ahead of Lando Norris, and clinched his first victory of the season, the 64th in his career. He managed the start, his tires, and the papaya-colored cars in his mirrors perfectly to return to the game. Max Verstappen doesn’t have the best car, maybe not even the second-best on the grid, but the four-time Formula 1 World Champion proved his abilities throughout the weekend. With 61 points, he is now just one point behind the current leader, Lando Norris. He is also the third different winner this season.

The first points for Isack Hadjar

After a difficult weekend in Melbourne, Isack Hadjar bounced back by delivering strong performances in China, which he confirmed this weekend in Japan. Qualified in seventh position after a very good session, the Frenchman delivered a solid race, being overtaken only by Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari. He thus finishes in an encouraging 8th place. Thanks to a magnificent overtaking move on Carlos Sainz, the Racing Bulls driver scored his very first points in Formula 1. A promising performance for the rest of the season.

The McLarens on the podium again

One could almost criticize the British team’s race for some questionable tactical choices, as their strategy left many perplexed. Despite having real potential, the orange cars did not manage to challenge Max Verstappen for the victory. However, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri assured by both finishing on the podium, a performance many other teams would like to claim. McLaren remains the leader of the championship, proving once again its solidity.

Nothing is going well at Alpine

Still no points on the board for Alpine. Starting from 11th place on the grid, Pierre Gasly hoped to reach the top 10 but ultimately had to settle for 13th place. Meanwhile, Jack Doohan did no better, crossing the line in 15th place. After three Grand Prix, the French team remains the only one on the grid without a single point. A worrying situation.

Invisible Ferrari

Charles Leclerc (4th) and Lewis Hamilton (7th) finished well in the points, but it remains far from Ferrari’s ambitions, who are supposed to be playing for the top positions. The Monegasque driver was never able to keep up with the pace of the leaders, finishing more than ten seconds behind the leading trio. As for the Briton, his strategic bet on hard tires at the start did not pay off, unable to challenge the Mercedes. With only 35 points after three races, Scuderia is already 76 points behind McLaren in the constructors’ championship. A start to the season clearly below expectations.

Liam Lawson struggling

Relegated to Racing Bulls, Liam Lawson has no choice but to shine if he wants to continue believing in a lasting place in Formula 1. But this weekend, the New Zealander remained in the background, clearly below the pace set by Isack Hadjar, both in qualifying and in the race. Even though he outperformed Yuki Tsunoda, who replaced him at Red Bull, in qualifying, Liam Lawson was never able to compete with his young teammate. Starting 13th, he finished in a disappointing 17th place, ahead of only Stroll, Bortoleto, and Ocon. If he wants to avoid being quickly sidelined, he will need to elevate his game.

Formula 1 does not slow down the pace with this triple header, chaining three Grand Prix in as many weeks. The next event will take place as soon as next weekend, for the Bahrain Grand Prix. A well-known circuit for the drivers, as they have already driven there during the pre-season winter testing.