Suzuka 6^th April 2025

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen fended off a race-long challenge from the McLarens Lando Norris and Oscaf Piastri to win the Japanese Grand Prix. Verstappen’s fourth consecutive victory at Suzuka, only two seconds between him and Norris, moving him within one point of Norris at the head of the drivers’ championship. Rain overnight and on the morning of the race helped ensure there was no repeat of the grass fires that affected practice and qualifying on Friday and Saturday.

Verstappen led the two McLarens for the entire first stint, the three lapping closely together. Verstappen and Norris stopped on the same lap, one later than Piastri, and there was an immediate flashpoint. Norris complained about Verstappen’s driving, saying he had been pushed off while Verstappen countered by saying his rival had driven off by himself. After the race Norris said:” he had the position and he had the right to do what he did, so fair play.”

Norris and Piastri tracked Verstappen for the final 32 laps, with just over two seconds separating them most of the time.

Verstappen said: “It was tough, just pushing very hard on the last set. The two McLarens were pushing me very hard. It started off quite tough this weeke3nd but we didn’t give up, we carried on improving the car and today it was in its best form. Starting on pole was very important. ”Ferrari’s Charles Lecierc held off Russell for fourth place, while the Briton’s team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli put in a strong final stint to close to less than two second behind his team-mate