In Suzuka, Red Bull extended its advantage over Ferrari in the constructors’ championship to 50 points after another strong weekend for the Milton Keynes team.
With Mercedes now confirmed as champions, the battle for runner-up spot could yet go down to the final race.
“Of course the constructors’ championship is where the financial revenues are distributed,” said Red Bull boss Christian Horner. “On top of pride, there are financial implications as well, second is enormously important for next year’s budget situation.”
Ferrari had a clear advantage in Japan, at least over one lap, but both Maranello cars dropped back on the grid with penalties. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was able to take advantage by securing second place.
“At this circuit your full throttle percentage is higher than most, and Ferrari have got a strong engine, they have a pretty decent chassis and we see the same with Mercedes, compared to last weekend, Ferrari had quicker race car than us today we were just strategically better and able to convert the grid positions.
“We made the most of the position we had with Max, he drove a very, very mature race and we expected - had Ferrari stopped a lap later - for them to be putting Max under pressure towards the end of the race, but they chose a different route and in the end that assisted Lewis and the pressure came from Lewis rather than Seb.”
Horner expects the battle to remain a close one: “I think it will be swings and roundabouts. Hopefully the next two tracks shouldn’t be too bad. Brazil should suit Ferrari, and Abu Dhabi probably neutral.”
