Verstappen stays just ahead of McLarens in chaotic start at the Japan GP

2d97a6a26ae834329cb8df2ab9fa712534847bf5

07:26, 24 Sep 2023

The Japanese Grand Prix got off to a chaotic start. Two incidents took place where drivers hit each other: Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez had a touch, causing Perez to fall back and have to come in for a new front wing. Further back, Valtteri Bottas collided with Alexander Albon, resulting in an early safety car. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen only just managed to stay ahead of the McLarens, after Oscar Piastri in particular got off to a very good start.

Pos.	Driver	Team	Points
1	Kimi Antonelli Kimi Antonelli	MercedesMER	292
2	George Russell George Russell	MercedesMER	211
3	Lewis Hamilton Lewis Hamilton	FerrariFER	191
4	Lando Norris Lando Norris	McLarenMCL	186
5	Charles Leclerc Charles Leclerc	FerrariFER	167
6	Max Verstappen Max Verstappen	Red Bull RacingRBR	145
7	Oscar Piastri Oscar Piastri	McLarenMCL	120
8	Isack Hadjar Isack Hadjar	Red Bull RacingRBR	71
9	Liam Lawson Liam Lawson	Racing BullsRCB	59
10	Pierre Gasly Pierre Gasly	AlpineALP	41
11	Arvid Lindblad Arvid Lindblad	Racing BullsRCB	31
12	Franco Colapinto Franco Colapinto	AlpineALP	27
13	Oliver Bearman Oliver Bearman	HaasHAA	18
14	Gabriel Bortoleto Gabriel Bortoleto	AudiAUD	10
15	Nico Hulkenberg Nico Hulkenberg	AudiAUD	7
16	Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz	WilliamsWIL	6
17	Alexander Albon Alexander Albon	WilliamsWIL	5
18	Esteban Ocon Esteban Ocon	HaasHAA	3
19	Fernando Alonso Fernando Alonso	Aston MartinAST	3
20	Yuki Tsunoda Yuki Tsunoda	Racing BullsRCB	1
21	Lance Stroll Lance Stroll	Aston MartinAST	0
22	Valtteri Bottas Valtteri Bottas	CadillacCAD	0
23	Sergio Perez Sergio Perez	CadillacCAD	0

Verstappen stays just ahead of McLarens in chaotic start at the Japan GP

Don’t miss GPblog in Google

Verstappen sees advantage McLaren and Mercedes: 'Affects strategy'

Perez drops out after sloppy early stages full of mistakes in Japan

Verstappen goes 14 races without a win as he returns to the track he dominated last year

F1 Today: Ferrari reveal Hamilton plan as another race abandons UAE

'Defeating Marquez on equal machinery' made the biggest 2027 MotoGP transfer happen

Formula 1 confirms major decision: races will be shorter from 2027

MotoGP leader shares key surgery decision update in quest to dethrone Marquez

Another major UAE race cancelled as F1 prepares for Abu Dhabi change

Red Bull to make last minute Isack Hadjar call at Azerbaijan Grand Prix

'Former Lotus F1 boss facing trial with five-year maximum penalty'

Verstappen goes 14 races without a win as he returns to the track he dominated last year

F1 Today: Ferrari reveal Hamilton plan as another race abandons UAE

'Defeating Marquez on equal machinery' made the biggest 2027 MotoGP transfer happen

Formula 1 confirms major decision: races will be shorter from 2027

Popular on GPBlog

Nico Rosberg questions Red Bull driver as Laurent Mekies hits back

F1 Today: Ferrari reveal Hamilton plan as another race abandons UAE

The cost of cancelling F1 races in the Middle East as the sport tries to go ahead as planned

Formula 1 confirms major decision: races will be shorter from 2027

Season

Verstappen sees advantage McLaren and Mercedes: 'Affects strategy'

Perez drops out after sloppy early stages full of mistakes in Japan