Max Verstappen's dominant reign atop Formula 1 isn't ending anytime soon.

The defending F1 champion scored his third win in four races in Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix, defeating Sergio Pérez by more than 12 seconds.

The race was delayed by more than 30 minutes after Alex Albon and Daniel Ricciardo crashed on the first lap, and Verstappen said his car's ability to handle to restart propelled him to the win.

"It was very nice. The critical bit was the start to stay ahead and after that the car got better and better for me throughout the race, I don't know if it had to do with the clouds coming in," Verstappen told reporters.

"Everything went well—pit stops, strategy. It couldn't have been any better. The last race was a little hiccup the last race but very happy we are here back on top. Great fans and in front of Honda as well, it's fantastic to win here."

Daniel Valente 🏎️ @F1GuyDan

There are now only two drivers in F1 history who have won the Japanese GP three years in a row:<br><br>• Max Verstappen (2022-2024)<br>• Michael Schumacher (2000-2002) <a href="">

Verstappen was coming off a shocking retirement in last month's Australian Grand Prix, which snapped a nine-race winning streak that dated back to the 2023 season. He's already established a 13-point lead in the standings through four races this year, with Pérez, his Red Bull teammate, trailing behind.

Barring some unforeseen change, Verstappen should continue his dominant run atop the sport and earn his fourth straight F1 championship. If he pulls off a fourth straight title, he would become the fifth driver in F1 history to achieve the feat and just the sixth with four championships overall.

Lewis Hamilton, whose era of dominance preceded Verstappen's, continues to struggle in his final season with Mercedes. He finished ninth in Sunday's race and does not have a single finish better than seventh four races into the 2024 season.