P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Verstappen explains "tight" McLaren battle into F1 Japanese GP first corner
Max Verstappen was able to secure a comfortable win in the Suzuka race without much challenge, although he did face some pressure from Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris at the start. Piastri started alongside Verstappen and Norris was on Verstappen’s left, which gave him limited space to defend against both drivers. Verstappen explained that both McLaren cars had a better start and he had to focus on keeping Piastri behind him. He also had to navigate Norris’s faster approach from the left. Verstappen managed to hold his position, but admitted that it got quite close. Norris jokingly suggested that Piastri should try to re-enact the famous clash between Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, while Piastri felt settling for third was the safest option for him. The main positive for Verstappen’s Red Bull team was avoiding a grid penalty in Qatar.
Source: motorsport
