F1: Japanese Grand Prix - 5 talking points

#5 Wheel-to-Wheel Racing and Overtakes

Max Verstappen enjoying his champagne after a hard-fought 2^nd place finish

The Japanese GP started off with a barrage of overtakes. Before the 1^st turn, track positions of cars interchanged due to Hamilton’s slow start.

The majority of the overtakes were seen in the DRS zone starting from the exit of the chicane and ending at Turn 1.

The first half saw an exciting, nail-biting racing. Three cars were battling for the 6^th position and had less than two seconds between them. Sergio Perez rose to 3^rd position on the grid at one point and was leading the two Ferraris, a Red Bull, and a Mercedes. Slower cars too held off the faster cars. Kimi lost some precious time due to his inability to overtake the slower cars.

In the 2^nd half, Lewis Hamilton tried hard to pass Max Verstappen for the 2^nd position. In one attempt, he attacked on the outside and went onto the wrong path. Earlier in the race, Lewis had to defend himself from Sebastian.