Max Verstappen secured his first win of the 2025 Formula 1 season at the Japanese Grand Prix, fending off relentless pressure from McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The Red Bull driver’s fourth consecutive Suzuka victory puts him just one point behind Norris in the drivers’ championship.
Verstappen’s win was built on a sensational pole position lap and a strong race start that prevented McLaren from using their superior race pace to overtake. Rain overnight eliminated the fire hazards that had disrupted earlier sessions, leading to clean race conditions.
Throughout the race, Verstappen was trailed closely by Norris and Piastri, rarely more than two seconds ahead. Strategic decisions during the pit stops raised questions, especially McLaren’s choice to pit Piastri before Norris. The team later explained that Piastri was under threat from George Russell and had to stop early to avoid being undercut.
Pit stop drama
Drama unfolded when both Verstappen and Norris pitted a lap later. A quicker McLaren stop brought Norris out nearly alongside Verstappen, but the Dutchman held his line as Norris ran out of space and veered onto the grass. Norris initially criticized Verstappen’s move but later admitted it was fair, and race stewards agreed.
Despite intense pressure for the remaining 32 laps, neither Norris nor Piastri could mount a serious challenge. Piastri, showing stronger late-race pace, hinted he could catch Verstappen if allowed past Norris, but McLaren opted not to interfere. The trio finished within 2.2 seconds of each other, with Piastri now third in the standings, 13 points behind Norris.
Verstappen credited the team’s continuous improvements across the weekend, calling the race “tough” but satisfying. Norris acknowledged Red Bull’s improvements and admitted there was little he could do to challenge Verstappen more seriously.
Best of the rest
Behind the top three, the race order remained largely static. Charles Leclerc took fourth for Ferrari ahead of George Russell. Andrea Kimi Antonelli impressed in his Mercedes debut, briefly leading during the pit cycles to become the youngest-ever F1 race leader and fastest lap setter at just 18 years and 224 days.
Lewis Hamilton, on an alternate strategy, climbed one place to seventh, overtaking Isack Hadjar early on. Williams’ Alex Albon delivered a feisty drive to finish ninth, while rookie Oliver Bearman claimed tenth for Haas.
In his Red Bull debut, Yuki Tsunoda finished 12th, with Liam Lawson, the driver he replaced, down in 17th for Racing Bulls.
Next race
Next up is the Bahrain Grand Prix on April 13, the second race of a triple-header, with lights out scheduled for 16:00 BST.
