Max Verstappen wins Japanese Grand Prix for fourth straight year

Verstappen crossed the line for his 64th grand prix victory to a huge ovation from the 115,000 crowd some 1.4 seconds ahead of McLaren's championship leader Lando Norris in second place.

Norris's lead over Verstappen in the drivers' championship was slashed to one point, while his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri rounded out the podium in third place on his 24th birthday.

"What an uplifting weekend after a miserable start," said Verstappen.

The top six finished as they had started on the grid and all 20 cars crossed the line after 53 laps with no rain, none of the trackside grass fires that disrupted practice, and not a single yellow flag.