F1: Verstappen leads Red Bull 1-2, Leclerc delighted with Ferrari strategy in Japan

World champion Max Verstappen got back to winning ways on Sunday with a third straight pole-to-flag victory at the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix, leading teammate Sergio Perez across the line for a Red Bull 1-2 at the Suzuka circuit.

The Dutchman suffered his first retirement since 2022 in Melbourne last time out to snap a nine-race winning streak but had no mechanical issues this week as he made it three wins from four races this season.

"That was a very lovely race, the car just got better and better," the Dutchman said over the team radio.

Carlos Sainz Jr., the winner in Australia two weeks ago, rode fresher tires in the latter stages of the race to edge Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, who used a one-stop strategy, out of the final podium spot in third place.

"It was tough out there," said Sainz.

The Spaniard, who missed the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix while recovering from appendix surgery, is set to lose his race seat to seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton in 2025.

"Unfortunately, I have no clue where I'm going to be next year. It is true that we're talking to many teams," Sainz said.

"I just need to go keep focused on what I'm doing just prove to myself to everyone that when I'm given a fast car you know I'm maximizing what I'm given.

"I deliver, you know, it's been a strong start... [Teams] know I'm available. Let's see what happens."

Leclerc, who started eighth, completed 27 laps on a set of medium tyres before switching to hards and defending tenaciously to hold off McLaren's Lando Norris.

Despite being voted Driver of the Day, Leclerc dropped down to third in the driver's standings with 59 points, four ahead of Sainz.

Verstappen leads the title race on 77 points ahead of Perez on 64.

"We did an amazing strategy, amazing time management, amazing pace, but it's just not enough when you're starting from eighth," Leclerc told Sky Sports.

"It's not very often in my career that I had to focus on qualifying days because this normally is one of my strengths. But Australia and here, this is where I've been struggling so I'll focus on that. But normally when I work on something I get better quite quickly, so I'm confident."

Norris finished fifth with the Mercedes pair of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton down in seventh and ninth.

Alex Albon's Williams and the RB of Daniel Ricciardo crashed into each other on the opening lap, triggering a red flag and a 30-minute delay while the debris was cleared and a barrier repaired. Both drivers emerged unscathed.

Scuderia AlphaTauri's Yuki Tsunoda finished 10th, securing points in his home grand prix for the first time to the delight of the crowd.

(With input from agencies)