JAPANEASY FOR MAX

Red Bull win in Suzuka as Norris warns: No one should be surprised

- DANIEL MOXON

MAX VERSTAPPEN'S race engineer called it "perfection" as he congratulated the Dutchman for his Suzuka victory.

He wasn't wrong Verstappen didn't place a wheel wrong in either qualifying or the race and his reward was a first win since Qatar on December 1 last year.

It was his fourth success in a row at the Japanese GP and the perfect way to pay tribute to engine suppliers Honda at their home race in the final year of their Red Bull partnership.

The victory means he is just one point behind championship leader Lando Norris, who finished second ahead of McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri.

Are Verstappen and Red Bull suddenly title contenders now after their sluggish start? Norris insists he never counted the Dutchman out anyway.