Max Verstappen cruised to a comfortable victory in the Japanese Grand Prix, leading team-mate Sergio Perez to a Red Bull one-two.
The race was red flagged on the first lap when RB’s Daniel Ricciardo moved over on Alex Albon’s Williams on the run between Turns Two and Three and the two touched and crashed at high speed.
Both were unhurt but the barriers needed repairing and the race was stopped for 20 minutes.
Verstappen had converted pole position into the lead at the first start and he did so again on the second, and took immediate control of the race on his way to his 57th career victory and an 11-point championship lead despite retiring from the last race in Australia.
Perez was less serene but still comfortable compared to the rest of the field as Red Bull underlined their overwhelming superiority.
Carlos Sainz passed team-mate Charles Leclerc late on to secure third as Ferrari used differing strategies.
Norris in fifth was comfortably clear of a close fight in the final laps between Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, Mercedes’ George Russell and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. Yuki Tsunoda was again impressive in securing the final point for RB.
