Suzuka, Japan: Max Verstappen secured his first win of the 2025 Formula One season with a commanding start-to-finish performance at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka.
The four-time world champion led from pole position to the checkered flag for Red Bull, fending off fierce competition from McLaren’s Lando Norris, who finished just 1.5 seconds behind. Oscar Piastri, also of McLaren, completed the podium in third.
Held under damp but drying conditions, the race marked Verstappen’s fourth straight win in Japan, helping him close the gap on championship leader Norris to just one point.
“It was tough. The McLarens were pushing me very hard,” said Verstappen. “It was a lot of fun, but managing the tyres wasn’t easy. Starting on pole made the win possible, and I’m incredibly happy.”
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc came in fourth, followed by Mercedes drivers George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli. Leclerc’s teammate Lewis Hamilton crossed the line in seventh, ahead of Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar, Williams’s Alex Albon, and Haas’s Oliver Bearman, who rounded out the top ten.
In his first race for Red Bull since replacing Liam Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda finished 12th after starting 14th on the grid at his home Grand Prix. Lawson, driving for RB, came in 17th.
A key flashpoint occurred midway through the race during pit stops when Norris exited alongside Verstappen. The Dutchman held his racing line, forcing Norris briefly onto the grass. Race stewards reviewed the incident but chose not to investigate further.
Verstappen had a shaky start to the season, finishing second in Australia and fourth in China, but returned to form in Japan. His record-setting qualifying lap earned him his first pole of the year and allowed him to set the pace early in the race.
At one point, 18-year-old rookie Kimi Antonelli briefly led the Grand Prix while the front-runners pitted — becoming the youngest race leader in F1 history. However, Verstappen quickly regained the top spot and received team approval to push hard through the closing laps.
McLaren stayed competitive throughout, with Piastri radioing in: “I have the pace to get Max.” Despite their efforts, Verstappen maintained control to the end.
Race day saw early rain disrupt what had otherwise been a dry week. Practice sessions had been halted several times earlier due to trackside fires, but race conditions stabilized in time for the main event.
After Suzuka, the drivers’ championship standings show Lando Norris in the lead with 62 points, followed closely by Verstappen with 61, and Oscar Piastri with 49.
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