After suffering a torrid 2017, Max Verstappen has had a turn around in performance and in luck by securing a second consecutive podium finish at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Verstappen qualified in fourth place but moved into second by the end of the first lap, overtaking both Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel who both qualified ahead.
In the closing stages of the race, the Dutchman closed up to Lewis Hamilton had a chance to secure a second victory of the season, with the Mercedes driver suffering from heavy vibrations. Traffic prevented the Red Bull driver from taking the checkered flag first however, meaning that he followed Hamilton across the line in second place.
"It was a great day again. Suzuka is great for me," said Verstappen. "I really love the track.
"I think the pace today was really promising. In the first stint on the Supersoft I was struggling a bit with the front-left, but as soon as I switched to Soft it was actually very competitive.
"I was always with Lewis, especially the last few laps, we had great pace, it’s just really hard to pass. In the last two to three laps I gave it all to try to close the gap.
"We had a really good day again and the car is definitely improving race-by-race, so I’m really happy about that," he added, with Red Bull Racing once again securing a double podium finish, with Ricciardo finishing in third.
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