Verstappen grabs first title of 2020: Red Bull driver wins Real Racers Never Quit

The 22-year-old Dutchman managed to qualify on the first row of the grid for the first and second races, on P2 behind compatriot Kelvin van der Linde. During the first battle Verstappen managed to take over first place from Van der Linde at the start. However, the pole-sitter touches the Dutch driver, so Verstappen leaves the asphalt for a moment. Later on Verstappen makes another mistake at Spoon, causing him to lose another three places. Verstappen falls all the way back to ninth place, but is still working his way up to sixth place. Lando Norris falls out after a crash in the first race.

Verstappen over crash

"Kelvin hit me in the first corner, but it's the way it is", Verstappen soberly stated at his own website. "Later I lost three more spots in Spoon. That's a treacherous turn in every car. I think the car with the bottom touched the track, so I spun. A little unfortunate. I'll have to qualify one better spot later and I'll be fine."

In the second race at Suzuka, Verstappen Van der Linde didn't catch up with Van der Linde at the start, but he increased the pressure. However, Lando Norris passes by after a small mistake by Verstappen. That is also the final result of the second race. Verstappen was still 60 points ahead at the end of the stage.

Verstappen knew he was close

"Yes, I could have won race 1 but it came down to collecting a few points that I needed after my computer crash at Interlagos," said the eight-time Grand Prix winner. "Otherwise the championship would have been decided before. It was the first time I drove such a LMP2 car and it was fun to drive. They are completely different from a GTE car. Suzuka is a great track to drive and one of the best tracks in the world."