The 2025 Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit showed a resurgence for Max Verstappen in his Red Bull, but McLaren were not far from him.
For this race, teams were predicted to use a one stop strategy. Drivers started on different tyres, with the majority of the grid starting on medium tyres, a couple on hard tyres, and a couple on soft tyres. Drivers on soft tyres were forced to pit earlier than those on harder tyre compounds.
As the drivers lined up on the grid following the Formation Lap, the two on the front row angled their cars towards each other, with Verstappen facing left and Lando Norris facing right, in an attempt to take the lead. The racing line, which is on the side of the drivers who qualified in the odd numbered positions (one, three, five, etc), was dry compared to the other side of the track.
Verstappen Leads from Lap One
As the race begins, Verstappen maintained his lead. He took off the start a lot quicker than Norris, who began the race in second place. Fernando Alsonso and Pierre Gasly went wheel to wheel on lap four, whilst Gabriel Bortoleto got overtaken by every driver at the back of grid to fall to 20th. Lewis Hamilton overtook Isack Hadjar on lap six, with the help of DRS.
The first to emerge to the pit lane was Lance Stroll on lap 10, going from soft tyres to hard tyres. Alex Albon wasn’t happy in the Williams, having issues with the shifts. He made his displeasure known over team radio.
On lap 19, McLaren faked a pit stop, having the mechanics race out into the pit land in order to pretend this. This was to make it seem as if Norris was about to pit, which he did not at this stage. After this, on lap 20, George Russell came in to pit, being the first of the top five to do so. However, he emerged in 13th position, having lost a few places during the pit stop. Jack Doohan then came in to pit at Alpine, changing from soft tyres to hard tyres.
The top three, which at this stage consisted of Verstappen, Norris and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), made their tyre changes on lap 21. As they were leaving the pits, Norris and Verstappen almost had a coming together which took Norris onto the grass. Verstappen emerged in front of the McLaren driver to take fifth, with Norris behind him in sixth place. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) took the lead after the top three went into the pits, becoming the youngest driver to lead a race at 18 years and seven months.
After Antonelli pitted, all 20 drivers had completed one pit stop. By lap 32, the top three looked as it did on the starting grid, with Verstappen in first, Norris in second and Oscar Piastri in third. After this, however, Norris was getting closer to Verstappen but kept losing tenths meaning he could not close on the driver in P1. McLaren considered a driver swap, as Piastri was lapping faster, but decided not to swap them in the end.
Verstappen won the Japanese Grand Prix, this being his fourth victory at this race, beating Norris by a second, with Piastri in third place. All 20 drivers finished the race; this is the first time there has been no retirements this season.
Japan Grand Prix Top Ten:
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- Lando Norris (McLaren)
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- George Russell (Mercedes)
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
- Isack Hadjar (VCARB)
- Alex Albon (Williams)
- Oliver Bearman (Haas)
The next race takes place in Bahrain next weekend. Tune into The Fastest Sector for coverage of the next race!
Written by Ellie.
Featured Image Credit: formula1.com
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