Honda Formula 1

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen fended off a race-long challenge from the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to win the Japanese Grand Prix. The Dutchman’s fourth consecutive victory at Suzuka was his first of the year and moves him to within one point of Norris at the head of the drivers’ championship. Verstappen’s drive was cool under intense pressure, with rarely more than two seconds between him and Norris. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc ahead of the Mercedes duo of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.

Red Bull have confirmed that they will demote Liam Lawson and replace him with Yuki Tsunoda with immediate effect. The decision comes after Lawson had completed just two grands prix for Red Bull, and three months after Tsunoda was passed over for the New Zealander as a replacement for Sergio Perez. Lawson will return to second team Racing Bulls as team-mate to French rookie Isack Hadjar.