Verstappen easily wins Japanese Grand Prix, edging closer to F1's season series title

Max Verstappen survived a dramatic first lap then coasted to victory at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday in Suzuka to move a step closer to securing his third consecutive Formula One championship.

The Red Bull driver, who missed out on the podium a week ago in Singapore, started from pole and held on for his 13th win of the season.

With Verstappen's victory, Red Bull secured the constructors' title, their sixth overall and second in a row. They did it with six races remaining.

"What an unbelievable season we are having," Verstappen said. "You can all be very proud here at the track and back at the factory. You guys built a rocket ship of a car, well done."

McLaren driver Lando Norris was second, 19.4 seconds back of Verstappen, while his teammate Australian rookie Oscar Piastri was third for his first F1 podium.

Verstappen, who also secured a point for the fastest lap, increased his lead over Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez to 177 points. He could wrap up his third consecutive title at the Oct. 6-8 Qatar Grand Prix.

The race got off to a thrilling start with Verstappen, Piastri and Norris going wheel-to-wheel but the Red Bull driver held his lead through the first two turns.

Verstappen commented on the excitement at the start.

"Luckily nothing happened," Verstappen said. "It all got quite close but that's racing, that's how it goes at the start. And then of course you had a good battle into Turn 1 and Turn 2, I was lucky there (was) a bit more grip in Turn 2. "

It was a disastrous day for Perez, who was given a penalty for hitting Haas driver Kevin Magnussen and retired from the race after serving the penalty.

The Mexican driver won in Saudi Arabia in March and Azerbaijan in April but has struggled since.

Verstappen saw