Japanese GP gets off to a chaotic start, Verstappen defends P1

The Japanese Grand Prix got off to a chaotic start. The Formula 1 drivers started in the rain, but crashes and chaos soon followed. Max Verstappen, meanwhile, got away slightly worse than Charles Leclerc, but heroically defended his leading position.

Chaos at the start 

Leclerc dived past Verstappen on the inside, but the Dutchman shot past again on the outside of the first corner to hold on to his leading position. Meanwhile, crashes took place and a chaotic situation ensued. The rain got worse and the red flag was raised. 

Sebastian Vettel was hit by Fernando Alonso, losing his excellent ninth place. Carlos Sainz crashed from third place and saw his race end on the very first lap, while Pierre Gasly drove through a billboard and Guanyu Zhou also got into trouble.