Formula 1 to travel to Japan for round 17 this weekend

By Can Erozden

Japan is set to host round 17 of the 2023 Formula 1 World Championship on Sunday.

The race at the 5.8-kilometer (3.6-mile) Suzuka International Racing Course will be run over 53 laps.

Before the race, the qualifying stage will take place Saturday.

Max Verstappen-led Red Bull Racing's winning streak ended in Singapore last weekend and Ferrari's Carlos Sainz beat McLaren's Lando Norris at the Marina Bay Street Circuit on Sept. 17.

Verstappen was fifth at the Singapore streets.

Despite losing the previous round, Verstappen, who won 12 races this season, is leading the F1 driver standings with 374 points.

His Mexican teammate Sergio Perez, who won two races for Red Bull, is second with 223 points.

Back-to-back champion Verstappen would not be able to clinch the 2023 title in Japan and would have to wait for round 18 in Qatar on Oct. 8.

This season will end with round 23 in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 26.

- Top 5 drivers in 2023 season

1. Max Verstappen (The Netherlands): 374 points

2. Sergio Perez (Mexico): 223

3. Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain): 180

4. Fernando Alonso (Spain): 170

5. Carlos Sainz (Spain): 142

- Teams

1. Red Bull: 597

2. Mercedes: 289

3. Ferrari: 265

4. Aston Martin: 217

5. McLaren: 139