Verstappen strikes back: Masterful drive secures first victory of 2025 at Suzuka

The stage was set for a thrilling showdown at the iconic Suzuka Circuit, and Max Verstappen has delivered in emphatic fashion, claiming his first victory of the 2025 season and fourth consecutive win at the Japanese Grand Prix. The reigning World Champion held off a determined challenge from the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Australia's own Oscar Piastri in a race that featured drama, strategy, and wheel-to-wheel action.

Under cool conditions at Suzuka, Verstappen made a perfect getaway from pole position, establishing control of the race from the outset. The Dutchman maintained a steady gap to the pursuing McLarens throughout the opening stint, despite reporting early concerns about his car's upshifts over team radio.

"It was tough, just pushing very hard especially on the last set," Verstappen said after the race. "The two McLarens were pushing me very hard and it was a lot of fun out there. Not easy of course to manage the tyres but I'm incredibly happy."

The defining moment of the race came during the pit stop phase when Verstappen and Norris both dived into the pits simultaneously. After a slightly slow Red Bull stop, Norris attempted to gain an advantage by going side-by-side with Verstappen at the pit exit, resulting in the McLaren driver taking to the grass to avoid contact. Both drivers expressed their displeasure over team radio, with Norris claiming he was forced off track while Verstappen insisted he had right of way. The stewards noted the incident but decided not to investigate, allowing Verstappen to maintain his position ahead of Norris.

As the race progressed into its final stages, Piastri – celebrating his 24th birthday – closed in on teammate Norris, creating a fascinating three-way battle for the lead. With just ten laps remaining, Norris began to cut into Verstappen's advantage, setting up a grandstand finish. "I think I have the pace to get Max," Piastri told his engineer, while Norris relayed a similar message regarding his own pace.

The increased pressure from Norris saw the gap shrink to just 1.3 seconds with five laps to go, but Verstappen responded masterfully, maintaining his composure to cross the line 1.4 seconds ahead of the Briton. Despite a close call across the final chicane on the last lap, Norris secured second place ahead of Piastri, who called his teammate's defensive move "cheeky" over team radio.

Charles Leclerc came home fourth for Ferrari, followed by George Russell in fifth and the impressive Andrea Kimi Antonelli in sixth. The 18-year-old Mercedes rookie provided one of the highlights of the race by leading several laps during the pit stop phase after extending his opening stint, even setting the fastest lap later in the race.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton finished seventh in his Ferrari, ahead of Isack Hadjar, who scored his first points of the season with an impressive drive to eighth for Racing Bulls. Alexander Albon secured ninth for Williams, while rookie Oliver Bearman rounded out the points positions in tenth for Haas.

Local hero Yuki Tsunoda couldn't deliver a points finish on his Red Bull debut at his home race, coming home in 12th position behind Fernando Alonso, who recorded his first race completion of the season after retiring in both Australia and China. Despite missing out on points, Tsunoda was voted Driver of the Day by the fans.

The race saw most of the field start on medium compound tyres, with only Lewis Hamilton, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Esteban Ocon opting for hards, while Jack Doohan and Lance Stroll took a gamble on softs from the back of the grid. The uncertain weather forecast – with rain threatening around the race's midpoint – ultimately didn't materialize, allowing teams to focus on optimal one-stop strategies.

Today's result has significant championship implications, with Verstappen now just one point behind Norris in the Drivers' Championship standings. Piastri moves up to third ahead of Russell as the 2025 season continues to deliver close competition at the front of the field.

The victory marks Verstappen's 64th Grand Prix win and continues his remarkable dominance at Suzuka, where he has now won four times in succession. After what he described as a "tough" start to the weekend, the Red Bull team's ability to continuously improve the car throughout practice and qualifying once again proved decisive.

"It started off quite tough this weekend but we didn't give up, we kept improving the car and today it was in its best form," Verstappen explained. "Of course starting on pole really made it possible to win this race."

For the McLaren pair, while there might be some disappointment at not converting their strong pace into victory, their double podium confirms the team's position as genuine title contenders in 2025. Piastri's impressive form continues to develop, with the Australian now firmly established alongside Norris at the front of the grid.

The F1® circus now heads straight to Bahrain for the next round of what's shaping up to be an enthralling championship battle, with the first race under lights set to take place at the Sakhir International Circuit on April 13th.

Final Results

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
2. Lando Norris (McLaren)
3. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
5. George Russell (Mercedes)
6. Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
7. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
8. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
9. Alexander Albon (Williams)
10. Oliver Bearman (Haas)
11. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
12. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull Racing)
13. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
14. Carlos Sainz (Williams)
15. Jack Doohan (Alpine)
16. Nico Hülkenberg (Kick Sauber)
17. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
18. Esteban Ocon (Haas)
19. Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber)
20. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)