Max Verstappen Victorious at Japanese Grand Prix in Thrilling Race

Max Verstappen triumphed over Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in a captivating Japanese Grand Prix, claiming his first Formula 1 win of the 2025 season. The race concluded with a nail-biting finish at Suzuka.

Verstappen, starting from pole position, crossed the finish line just 1.4 seconds ahead of Norris. Piastri, Norris`s McLaren teammate, closely followed in third, a mere seven-tenths of a second behind Norris.

A pivotal moment occurred on Lap 22 during pit stops. Verstappen and Norris pitted simultaneously, exiting the pit lane nearly side-by-side. Norris briefly went onto the grass during this close call.

Norris felt he was `forced off track,` but race stewards reviewed the incident and decided no further investigation was needed. They indicated that Norris should have yielded as Verstappen`s car was ahead.

From that point, Verstappen expertly managed his tires, successfully holding off persistent pressure from Norris and Piastri. Despite their efforts, neither McLaren driver could get within DRS range of the reigning world champion.

The top three finishers in Suzuka now each have a race win in the 2025 season. Norris currently leads the Drivers` Championship by a single point over Verstappen, with Piastri 13 points behind, as they head to the Bahrain Grand Prix next weekend.

The top six finishers mirrored their starting grid positions. Charles Leclerc finished in fourth, George Russell in fifth, and Kimi Antonelli, who briefly led his first F1 laps, secured sixth place.

Lewis Hamilton overtook Isack Hadjar of Racing Bulls early in the race to take seventh. Alex Albon of Williams finished ninth, and Oliver Bearman of Haas rounded out the top ten.

Local favorite Yuki Tsunoda, in his first Grand Prix for Red Bull, gained only two positions to finish 12th, behind Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin.

How Verstappen Secured Victory Against Fast McLarens

The Suzuka Circuit was damp at the start, but dry enough for slick tires. Verstappen knew a strong start was crucial to maintain his pole position and convert it into a race win.

Verstappen and Norris had near-identical starts, and the top 10 positions remained unchanged through the initial laps.

The race then became a strategic battle of tire management. Norris initially held back before pushing harder leading up to the pit stops.

McLaren chose to pit Piastri first. Then, Verstappen and Norris pitted together, separated by just over a second.

A slightly slower pit stop for Red Bull allowed Norris to pull almost alongside Verstappen upon exiting the pits. Norris briefly went onto the grass, claiming Verstappen forced him off, while Verstappen countered that Norris `drove onto the grass himself`.

McLaren seemed to have a pace advantage, consistent throughout the season. However, Suzuka`s high-speed corners made it challenging to follow closely due to turbulent air.

Verstappen maintained a gap of 1 to 2.5 seconds for the remaining 30 laps after the pit stop. Norris couldn`t get close enough to mount an attack, hindered by the reduced downforce while following.

Piastri also remained in contention but opted not to challenge his teammate, securing a podium finish on his birthday.

McLaren`s double podium increased their lead over Mercedes in the Constructors` Championship to 36 points. However, their drivers may feel disappointed not to have won on a circuit that suited their car`s characteristics.

`It was challenging. The McLarens were really pushing,` Verstappen acknowledged, becoming the first driver to win four consecutive races at Suzuka. `It was enjoyable but demanding on the tires. I`m very happy. The weekend began somewhat difficult, but we persevered, continually improving the car. Today, it was at its best. Starting from pole position was key to achieving this victory.`

Apart from Antonelli`s extended first stint, which saw him lead his first F1 laps, the race was relatively uneventful.

Hamilton, starting on hard tires, also had a long first stint, hoping for a safety car. He ultimately finished seventh in what was a quiet race for Ferrari overall.

For the first time in 2025, all 20 drivers completed the Grand Prix. Circuit organizers were also relieved to avoid any grass fires, which had caused disruptions earlier in the race weekend.

Japanese GP Race Results