The result, and lack of performance in Singapore, prompted more than a few to scratch their heads at the sudden lack of competitiveness from Red Bull.
There were those that insisted the technical directive on flexi-floors and wings had been Red Bull’s kryptonite, but the real test of this conspiracy theory would be in the performance at the Japanese Grand Prix. On cue, Max Verstappen and co silenced the doubters in emphatic fashion.
Pole position by more than half a second was followed by a straightforward cruise to victory on Sunday. Never under pressure, Verstappen eased to Red Bull’s 15th win of the season. Not only that, but the victory also secured Red Bull the 2023 Constructor championship. It is an important and especially impressive feat, when you consider that there are still six Grands Prix, and three sprint races, to go this season.
Equally impressive as the ease with which Red Bull bounced back was the performance of McLaren. Not only did Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris start the race in second and third, but maintained these positions for a stellar weekend. It was, however, Norris in second with Piastri third, but it doesn’t take anything away from what has been a stunning turnaround for McLaren this season. Lest it be forgotten, Norris finished a lowly 17th in the opening race in Bahrain.
Suzuka is arguably the biggest aerodynamic challenge on the calendar, and for McLaren to score a double podium behind Verstappen only, on pure merit, is an incredibly impressive turnaround.
The third-place finish also marks Piastri’s first F1 podium in what, to date, has been a splendid rookie season. Ferrari didn’t quite replicate the highs of Singapore, but Charles Leclerc did secure important points with a fourth-place finish. Lewis Hamilton was fifth with what he felt was a very difficult Mercedes, while Carlos Sainz was sixth. George Russell attempted an ambitious one-stop strategy and ultimately finished seventh while Fernando Alonso was eighth. The Alpine drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly were ninth and 10th, respectively.
It was a weekend to forget for Checo Perez who qualified fifth. An incident at the start of the race meant he needed a new front wing and dropped him to dead last. Just as he was recovering, he dive-bombed Kevin Magnussen and broke another front-wing. This also caused other damage to the car, which ultimately forced the Mexican driver to retire from the race. However, Red Bull would ‘un-retire’ Perez so he could serve a five-second penalty incurred for safety car infringement.
The safety car made an appearance to tidy up the debris from the turn one incident at the start of the race. Had Perez not served the penalty, there was a chance that stewards could impose a grid penalty at the next race in Qatar.
It’s apt that Red Bull has won the constructor’s title in Japan. After all, much of their success has gone together with what Honda has provided with their power unit. Their initial return to the sport with McLaren was, plainly put, a shambles, but how they have transformed into a championship-winning manufacturer speaks volumes of Honda’s determination and prowess.
Then there is Red Bull. Love them or hate them, they deserve to be lauded for what they have achieved in the last few seasons. To break the stranglehold of Mercedes’ dominance took a monumental effort. To follow that with what they have achieved, so far, in 2023, is an astonishing and extra-ordinary culmination of hundreds of people working, not only in complete sync, but under enormous pressure. Their achievements have earned respect.
