--- title: "Verstappen Wins the 2023 F1 Suzuka GP and Locks Up Red Bull’s Constructors’ Title" description: "With Max Verstappen's 2023 F1 Suzuka grand prix victory, Red Bull clinches its sixth constructor's championship," date: "2023-09-24" modified: "2023-09-24" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/verstappen-wins-the-2023-f1-suzuka-gp-and-locks-up-red-bulls-championship-title" categories: - "F1" - "News" - "Racing" --- # Verstappen Wins the 2023 F1 Suzuka GP and Locks Up Red Bull’s Constructors’ Title ![]() *Getty* At the beginning of the 2023 [Formula 1]() Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, there was just a sliver of hope that, for the second week in a row, someone other than Max [Verstappen]() could win. The Red Bull driver started from pole position but saw immediate pressure from two McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who were breathing down his neck from the moment the lights went out. However, as valiant as [McLaren's]() efforts were, Verstappen not only still stood atop the winner's podium but he also clinched Red Bull's 2023 constructor's championship win. After Verstappen's win in Suzuka, Red Bull has 623 points as a team, which is so much more than the second-place Mercedes (305 points) that there's no chance of catching up. So Red Bull is the 2023 Formula 1 constructor's champion and there are still six races left in the season. It's Red Bull's sixth championship win and it comes in perhaps the team's most dominant season. ![]() **Getty** Thankfully, McLaren at least made the race interesting by finishing with a two-three finish on the podium. For the fourth time this season, Lando Norris took home second place but the big news is his teammate snagging his first-ever podium finish. Oscar Piastri raced his heart out in Japan, even leading the race for a blink at the beginning, and it payed off with a third-place finish for the rookie. As for the usual gang of drivers from Ferrari and Mercedes that try to challenge Verstappen every week, they were mostly fighting for fourth, fifth, and sixth place, as the McLaren duo did a great job of holding them off all race. However, it was Verstappen's race yet again. After last week's race in Singapore, in which Ferrari's [Carlos Sainz]() won as both Red Bull cars struggled, there was some hope that we might see more drivers atop the podium. However, the Dutchman returned to his usual dominance in Japan. At one point, he even set the fastest lap while expanding on his 15-second lead over the second place Norris. ![]() **Getty** Now that Red Bull has the constructor's title locked up, Verstappen will be looking to clinch the driver's title well before the end of the season, which he can potentially do with a win in Qatar in two weeks. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()