How Verstappen cracked McLaren code in Japan

F1's difference-maker  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ View in browser View in browser ARTICLES MAGAZINE SHOP DATABASE SHOP FORMULA 1 How Verstappen cracked the McLaren code in Japan Mark Hughes McLaren's dominance came to an end in Japan as Max Verstappen put on a masterclass to show the Woking team's seasons will not be the cakewalk some suspected. Here's how the world champion defeated his rivals   Max Verstappen and Red Bull cracked open the tricky code required to beat McLaren around Suzuka, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri closely trailing the tenacious champion throughout but never quite getting within range to change the outcome. By the analysis of both McLaren and Red Bull, the former had the faster car around here. Yet Verstappen was ahead start-to-finish from pole. What were the pieces of the code required to beat what had thus-far been the season's dominant car? READ MORE PHOTO: RED BULL F1 James Elson F1 snore-fest shows new cars badly needed: Up/Down Japanese GP The 2025 Japanese GP showed a much more extreme change than next year's technical regulations is needed to make racing at classic F1 tracks interesting READ MORE F1 Chris Medland F1 and FIA heading for V10 showdown – What you missed at the Japanese GP Word has it that Yuki Tsunoda is safe at Red Bull for the rest of the year. Elsewhere, Aston Martin and Cadillac mull their future line-ups; why Isack Hadjar has to practice his donuts; and what did Rossi tell Antonelli? What you missed at the 2025 Japanese GP READ MORE F1 Chris Medland F1 and FIA heading for V10 showdown – What you missed at the Japanese GP Word has it that Yuki Tsunoda is safe at Red Bull for the rest of the year. Elsewhere, Aston Martin and Cadillac mull their future line-ups; why Isack Hadjar has to practice his donuts; and what did Rossi tell Antonelli? What you missed at the 2025 Japanese GP READ MORE Motor Sport Collectables Explore our best-selling collectables, selected for Motor Sport enthusiasts like you. Lotus 72 Pocher Model BUY NOW Porsche 917K Pocher Model BUY NOW F1 Retro 1980 by Mark Hughes BUY NOW Stirling Silver Motor Sport Cufflinks BUY NOW Brabham BT46  Scalextric BUY NOW Lotus 79 Scalextric BUY NOW Connect with us We're also available on Update your preferences Control your Motor Sport experience by selecting the content you wish to receive and stay up to date. UPDATE NOW Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy Motor Sport Magazine, 18-20 Rosemont Road, London, NW3 6NE  Company no. 05471049, Vat no. 871 544 60