The fastest lap in Suzuka’s storied F1 history was even better than it seemed for Max Verstappen, who used his brilliant pole position to claim a race win at the Japanese Grand Prix.

But McLaren will come in for criticism after failing to take advantage of having the faster car overall, and having two drivers at the front – with Lando Norris failing to pose a real threat to Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri not given the chance to use his clear pace.

Verstappen avoided any issues in the opening corner and was barely troubled from then on, with Norris and Piastri finishing 2nd and 3rd as they started.

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A diplomatic Piastri conceded the race was effectively won on Saturday when Verstappen took pole.

“The pace today was really, really good … obviously got close a few times and tried to mount a challenge, but track position round here is just so important,” Piastri said.

“There wasn’t much (debate on whether to swap) … I felt if I had track position I could go and get Max but that’s what happens when you qualify behind, unfortunately. I at least asked the question and I think that was a fair response.”

Norris nearly eats dirt after pit drama | 01:31

Norris’ only shot of passing Verstappen came, bizarrely, in the pit lane itself as a slow stop for the Red Bull put the Brit alongside the race leader.

But he had to go onto the grass as the pair reached the pit exit, Norris declaring he had been pushed off but the race stewards feeling otherwise, allowing Verstappen to stay out in front until the chequered flag.

The bigger issue for McLaren was that Norris was slower than Piastri all day, yet the team never swapped the cars to give the Aussie a shot at catching Verstappen.

Norris was basically never within DRS range of Verstappen while Piastri had DRS on his teammate for most of the race, but could never get past him.

Max stuns McLaren to grab pole | 01:11

There were suggestions Norris was pacing himself for a late push to pass Verstappen but, when Piastri was asking to be allowed to pass Norris with around 10 laps left – declaring he had the pace to catch the Red Bull – he was told Norris was not saving tyres.

McLaren also didn’t give Piastri or Norris the chance to run in clear air on an alternate strategy.

“I don’t understand why at least one of them didn’t have free air. They had dirty air all day,” Anthony Davidson said on Sky F1.

The top six all finished as they started with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc 4th from Mercedes pair George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.

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Starting grid for the Japanese Grand Prix

1st row Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren)

2nd row Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren) Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari)

3rd row George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) Kimi Antonelli (ITA/Mercedes)

4th row Isack Hadjar (FRA/Racing Bulls) Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Ferrari)

5th row Alexander Albon (THA/Williams) Oliver Bearman (GBR/Haas)

6th row Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine) Carlos Sainz (ESP/Williams)

7th row Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin) Liam Lawson (NZL/Racing Bulls)

8th row Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/Red Bull) Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Sauber)

9th row Gabriel Bortoleto (BRA/Sauber) Esteban Ocon (FRA/Haas)

10th row Jack Doohan (AUS/Alpine) Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin)

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