F1
F1 LIVE: McLaren taunted by brutal Red Bull joke as Christian Horner snubs Lewis Hamilton
The first leg of the triple-header is in the history books, and the title fight looks to have been ignited. Max Verstappen is now just one point behind Lando Norris in the Drivers’ Championship standings after the Dutchman fended off his rival to win the Japanese Grand Prix by a narrow margin.
McLaren were the heavy favourites heading into the race weekend after sweeping the first two Grands Prix in Melbourne and Shanghai. However, despite the MCL39 being the fastest car in the field, a surprise late surge in qualifying gave Verstappen pole position, which he never relinquished his grip on during the race on Sunday.
