Verstappen dominates F1 Japanese Grand Prix, winning by 12.5 seconds over teammate Perez

Max Verstappen's record-breaking dominance in Formula 1 resumed Sunday with his victory in the Japanese Grand Prix, leading almost the entire race on a sunny day in central Japan.

His abrupt breakdown two weeks ago in Melbourne, Australia, looks like a blip in his total command over F1. He was out on the fourth lap when his rear brakes caught fire.

Nothing like that this time.

Verstappen basically led from start to finish except briefly after a pit stop. He was followed across the finish line by Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez — 12.5 seconds behind — and Carlos Sainz of Ferrari. Sainz was 20 seconds off the pace.

The three-time defending F1 champion is again this season's points leader and now has won 22 of the last 26 races dating to the start of the 2023 season. Only two other drivers have won in that span — Red Bull teammate Perez and Sainz, the winner in Australia two weeks ago.

Responding to a question, Sainz suggested Verstappen and Red Bull are so dominant the season might already be over after just four of 24 races.

"I think they are definitely going to have an advantage in the first third of the season until we bring in one or two upgrades," Sainz said from Suzuka. "But by that time maybe it's a bit too late with the advantage they might have in the championship."

Verstappen, of course, said the season would be competitive and suggested Red Bull might struggle in street races.

"It's still a very long season," he said. "I don't want to think about the rest of the season too much."

Chequered flag moment