, secured with six races to spare — another record in a season filled with them.
The start was McLaren’s only chance of making a fight of things. After the early safety car, Verstappen slowly opened up a gap, the Red Bull proving supreme through Suzuka’s high-speed corners, as it had through qualifying. With Norris losing time behind the slow-moving Pérez under the VSC, Verstappen was over 10 seconds clear before the first round of pit stops.
“There were no real issues throughout the race. I think that sums up the weekend as well,” Verstappen said. “It’s just been an incredible weekend to drive the car.”It also sums up Red Bull’s season. Verstappen’s domination may have denied us the kind of tense title fight that makes for classic seasons or even