Japanese GP: The Championship Going Into The Race Weekend At The Iconic Suzuka Circuit

The Japanese Grand Prix weekend is underway with the first two practice sessions completed. We are taking a look at how the championships currently stand before FP3 and Qualifying in a few hours.

Drivers' Standings

Max Verstappen still leads the drivers' championship despite his retirement from the Australian Grand Prix, however, Ferrari's Carlos Sainz has started to close the gap to the reigning champion and overtakes Sergio Perez for second position in the standings.

Mercedes' double-DNF in Australia has cost them with George Russell currently sitting in seventh position, just two points ahead of Fernando Alonso, and Lewis Hamilton is down in tenth with just 8 points.

As F1 heads into the fourth race of the season, seven drivers' are yet to secure points including Alex Albon, Zhou Guanyu, and Daniel Ricciardo.

1. Max Verstappen, Red Bull - 51 points
2. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari - 47 points
3. Sergio Perez, Red Bull - 46 points
4. Carlos Sainz, Ferrari - 40 points
5. Oscar Piastri, McLaren - 28 points
6. Lando Norris, McLaren - 27 points
7. George Russell, Mercedes - 18 points
8. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin - 16 points
9. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin - 9 points
10. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes - 8 points
11. Yuki Tsunoda, VCARB - 6 points
12. Oliver Bearman, Ferrari - 6 points
13. Nico Hulkenberg, Haas - 3 points
14. Kevin Magnussen, Haas - 1 point
15. Alex Albon, Williams - 0 points
16. Zhou Guanyu, Sauber - 0 points
17. Daniel Ricciardo, VCARB - 0 points
18. Esteban Ocon, Alpine - 0 points
19. Pierre Gasly, Alpine - 0 points
20. Valtteri Bottas, Sauber - 0 points
21. Logan Sargeant, Williams - 0 points

Oracle Red Bull Racing driver Sergio Perez rounds turn 17 during the first F1 practice at Circuit of

Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman /

Constructors' Standings

Ferrari's 1-2 finish in Australia has helped the Maranello-based squad to close the gap to Red Bull with just four points now separating the two teams. McLaren leads the rest of the pack with 55 points, a 29-point lead on Mercedes who are currently in fourth position. However, just one point separates Mercedes from Aston Martin in fifth position.

1. Red Bull - 97 points
2. Ferrari - 93 points
3. McLaren - 55 points
4. Mercedes - 26 points
5. Aston Martin - 25 points
6. VCARB - 6 points
7. Haas - 4 points
8. Williams - 0 points
9. Sauber - 0 points
10. Alpine - 0 points