F1 Results Today: Hamilton endures MORE misery after Ricciardo crash causes chaos

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, Japan, 2024 — Photo: © IMAGO

Japanese Grand Prix

F1 Results Today: Hamilton endures MORE misery after Ricciardo crash causes chaos

It was another thrilling race in Suzuka

Sam Cook Digital Journalist

Sports Journalist who has been covering motorsport since 2023

Sunday 7 April 2024 09:14 Updated: 10:54

Max Verstappen got back to winning ways at the Japanese Grand Prix to extend his lead in the drivers' championship.

Following a DNF last time out in Australia, Verstappen banished any fears of a Red Bull implosion by leading his RB20 to victory ahead of team-mate Sergio Perez.

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It means that the world champions have now completed three one-two finishes in the first four races of the season, maintaining their dominance over the rest of the field.

Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, though, struggled in his W15 car, and finished down in ninth behind team-mate George Russell yet again, despite starting the weekend positively with he called the 'best session' that he had had in his new car.

Ferrari's Carlos Sainz rounded off the podium to maintain his brilliant start to the campaign, while his team-mate Charles Leclerc produced a stunning drive to come from eighth up to fourth.

Lando Norris came home in fifth, while Fernando Alonso rounded out the top six with a solid drive in his Aston Martin.

The race had started in dramatic fashion, with an early red flag following a huge crash involving Daniel Ricciardo and Alex Albon, which left both drivers out of the race - continuing their poor starts to the 2024 season.

A 30-minute delay ensued following a huge repair job needed on the tyre barrier, but the restart saw Verstappen steam away from Perez, and the Dutchman never looked back.