Max Verstappen has overcome the disappointment of an early retirement in Melbourne to dominate the Japanese Grand Prix.

The triple world champion handily withstood a race restart and differing tyre strategies to beat teammate Sergio Perez in second and Carlos Sainz in third.

The victory is Verstappen's third win in the opening four races of the season, with his retirement at Albert Park the only blemish on his year so far.

Australian Daniel Ricciardo did not make it past the opening lap, colliding with the Williams of Alex Albon, which ended both of their races and brought out the red flag that suspended the race.

Fellow countryman Oscar Piastri finished eighth, making a late mistake on the penultimate lap that cost him seventh.

Verstappen was flawless in Japan, taking his third consecutive win at Suzuka.

"That was a very lovely race," Verstappen told his team over the radio.

"The car just got better and better to be honest throughout the race. Well done, really good result."

The Dutchman launched off the line well and held the lead over Perez into the first corner, when the red flag was called for a crash between Ricciardo and Albon.

The red flag essentially meant the drivers had a 50-lap race from the restart, where Verstappen again launched well to lead his teammate Perez into the first corner.

Seven of the top-10 elected to remain on the same tyres they started the race with.

Mercedes elected to change onto fresh hard tyres for both drivers, meaning they had used two different compounds and hoping to complete one less pit stop than their rivals. Carlos Sainz went for fresh mediums in an effort to challenge the Red Bulls and Lando Norris.

Mercedes could not make the one-stop work, needing to pit both drivers late in the race as those who committed to stopping twice proved to be the fastest strategy.

Verstappen and Perez never looked threatened for first and second, while Carlos Sainz continued his excellent form to take third.

Charles Leclerc was the only driver who made one pit stop work, extending his stint on his medium tyres and allowing him to climb to fourth.

Daniel Ricciardo's Japanese Grand Prix lasted three corners on Sunday, before abruptly ending in a lap one crash which brought out the red flag.

The Australian was going through the first chicane around Suzuka, side-by-side with Williams driver Alex Albon.

[pic: crash]

The pair made contact as they approached the third corner of the race, sending them both off the track and into the barriers. 

Ricciardo appeared to move slightly across Albon's front wing in an effort to be on the racing line.

The Australian would not have been able to see Albon on his right-rear tyre.

Former driver, turned broadcaster, Paul di Resta told Sky Sports UK that he did not believe it was an incident where you could blame either driver.

"It wasn't Albon's fault. It wasn't Ricciardo's fault. It's a racing incident," di Resta said.

The red flag was brought out following the two-car crash, which damaged the tyre-barrier at turn three.