Formula 1 2025: Max Verstappen secured his 64th Formula 1 victory in classic fashion at the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix, fending off a fierce double-pronged McLaren attack to take the chequered flag at Suzuka. The reigning champion showed nerves of steel, executing a near-perfect race from pole position, despite pressure and drama surrounding a pit exit tussle with Lando Norris.
Starting from the front, Verstappen quickly established a lead over the two McLaren drivers—Norris and Oscar Piastri—who stayed close during the early stages. But the most controversial moment came during the first round of pit stops on Lap 21, when Norris attempted to go wheel-to-wheel with Verstappen at the pit lane exit following a slower Red Bull stop. The move forced the Brit onto the grass, but stewards decided not to investigate the incident.
Both drivers vented their frustration over team radio, but Verstappen held his nerve and kept Norris behind. That decision proved pivotal as Verstappen rebuilt his lead while Norris and Piastri turned their attention to each other in the closing laps.
Late Surge Not Enough for McLaren
With just ten laps remaining, McLaren looked like they might challenge Verstappen for the win as Piastri pushed hard on his 24th birthday, catching up to Norris. The intra-team rivalry added to the tension, but it was Norris who ultimately found the extra pace to close the gap to Verstappen to just over a second.
Despite his best efforts and a slight error from the Red Bull star in the final chicane, Verstappen crossed the line 1.4 seconds ahead of Norris, with Piastri a further seven-tenths back. “Cheeky move,” Piastri joked on the radio after Norris defended his position robustly in the dying moments.
Leclerc, Russell, and Antonelli Battle for Best of the Rest
Behind the leading trio, Charles Leclerc delivered a consistent drive to bring Ferrari home in fourth. Mercedes’ George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli rounded out the top six, with Antonelli impressing again after briefly leading the race during the pit window.
Antonelli, who replaced Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes this season, even set the fastest lap at one stage and continues to prove he’s a rising star in the paddock. Hamilton finished seventh, marking a steady if unspectacular race for the seven-time world champion.
Young Guns Shine in the Midfield
It was a day of milestones for some of the grid’s youngest talents. Rookie Isack Hadjar scored his first points of the season for Racing Bulls with an eighth-place finish, while Ollie Bearman snagged the final point for Haas in tenth, just behind Alex Albon in ninth for Williams.
Further down the order, Fernando Alonso finally saw the finish line in P11 after failing to finish the previous two races. Red Bull debutant Yuki Tsunoda, racing at home in Japan, narrowly missed the points but earned the Driver of the Day award from fans in a sentimental moment.
Championship Implications: Just One Point Separates the Top Two
Verstappen’s win means he now trails Lando Norris by a single point in the 2025 Drivers’ Championship standings. Oscar Piastri’s consistent podiums have pushed him into third overall, while George Russell and Charles Leclerc round out the top five.
With the first three races delivering three different winners, the 2025 season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory.
Japanese Grand Prix 2025 – Top 10 Results:
Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) – 1:22:06.983
Lando Norris (McLaren) – +1.423s
Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – +2.129s
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – +16.097s
George Russell (Mercedes) – +17.362s
Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
Alex Albon (Williams)
Ollie Bearman (Haas)
Next Up: Chinese Grand Prix
The Formula 1 circus now heads to China for Round 4 of the 2025 season. With momentum on Verstappen’s side and McLaren proving to be a formidable force, fans can expect another thriller as the title race continues to heat up.
Stay tuned for more post-race analysis, driver reactions, and exclusive insights into what’s shaping up to be one of the most exciting F1 seasons in years.
