2025 Japanese Grand Prix: Verstappen brings McLaren to heel and revives the Formula 1 championship

🏁 The king of F1 returns at a legendary circuit

The legendary Suzuka circuit in Japan once again lived up to every expectation. This figure-of-eight layout, one of the most demanding on the calendar, is a true acid test for cars and drivers alike. Speed, precision, endurance: everything is put to the test here.

And on this stage of pure performance, Max Verstappen set the record straight. After two opening races dominated by McLaren, the three-time world champion proved he had lost none of his talent. With a race perfectly controlled from start to finish, he claimed his first win of the season, blowing the championship fight wide open again.

⚙️ A flying start, perfect handling of the pressure

As soon as the lights went out, Verstappen got away perfectly from pole, holding a clean line through Turn 1 despite immediate pressure from Lando Norris. The McLaren driver, very aggressive in the opening laps, seemed determined to set the pace, but Verstappen did not flinch.

The decisive moment came during the first round of pit stops. Norris attempted a strategic "overcut", staying out one lap longer to maximise his speed on worn tyres. As he exited the pits, he found himself side by side with the Red Bull, but was forced onto the grass to avoid contact. A bold move… but a costly one. He lost time and had to settle for staying behind.

Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri, in third, drove a very clean race but one less incisive than his teammate's. The young Australian was never really in a position to attack Norris, but his consistency allowed McLaren to secure another double podium.

🏎️ Ferrari solid, Mercedes on the pace, Hadjar in the points

Behind the leading trio, Charles Leclerc put in a fine performance to finish fourth. The Ferrari looks more competitive than in the first two rounds, even if its race pace is still a notch below the leaders. George Russell and rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli followed in fifth and sixth for Mercedes, confirming a certain consistency on the German side.

But one of the best stories of this Grand Prix came from Frenchman Isack Hadjar. Driving for Racing Bulls, he claimed a well-deserved eighth place, scoring his first points in Formula 1. Very much at ease on the twisty Japanese layout, he avoided the traps and held his position against far more experienced drivers. A promising performance for the rest of his season.

🏆 Race results: 2025 Japanese GP

1️⃣ Max Verstappen (Red Bull · #1) 🏆
2️⃣ Lando Norris (McLaren · #4)
3️⃣ Oscar Piastri (McLaren · #81)
4️⃣ Charles Leclerc (Ferrari · #16)
5️⃣ George Russell (Mercedes · #63)
6️⃣ Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes · #12)
7️⃣ Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari · #44)
8️⃣ Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls · #21)
9️⃣ Alexander Albon (Williams · #23)
🔟 Oliver Bearman (Haas · #87)

📊 A championship blown wide open

With this win, Max Verstappen moves to within just one point of Lando Norris in the overall standings. McLaren still lead the constructors' championship, but Red Bull are clearly starting to find their rhythm.

Drivers' standings after three rounds:

• 🥇 Lando Norris (McLaren): 62 points

• 🥈 Max Verstappen (Red Bull): 61 points

• 🥉 Oscar Piastri (McLaren): 49 points

And in the constructors' standings:

• 🧡 McLaren: 111 points

• 🖤 Mercedes: 75 points

• 🔵 Red Bull: 61 points

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