Four-time world champion Max Verstappen dominated the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, taking his first victory of the 2025 season from pole position, with McLaren’s Lando Norris finishing in second place.
The Dutch Red Bull driver crossed the finish line nearly 1.5 seconds ahead of Briton Norris, who managed to fend off his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri and secured third position.
On a damp but improving track at Suzuka, Verstappen’s win marked his fourth consecutive victory in Japan and narrowed Norris’s lead at the top of the drivers’ championship to just one point.
After three races, Norris has accumulated 62 points, while Verstappen closely trails with 61 points, and Piastri stands in third with 49 points.
Charles Leclerc of Ferrari finished in fourth place, followed by the Mercedes duo of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari ended the race in seventh, with RB’s Isack Hadjar taking eighth, ahead of Williams’ Alex Albon and Haas’s Oliver Bearman. Yuki Tsunoda placed 12th in his first outing for Red Bull, replacing Liam Lawson, after starting 14th on the grid in his home race. Lawson finished in 17th for RB.
Norris said the race’s outcome hinged on qualifying, where Verstappen delivered an extraordinary lap to secure his first pole of the season and set a new lap record.
Midway through the race, Verstappen and Norris encountered a notable moment as they exited the pit stops side by side. Norris attempted to pass Verstappen but was forced onto the grass as the Dutchman maintained his line, causing Norris to slide back onto the circuit.
The stewards investigated the incident but chose not to proceed, and Norris later admitted it was simply a part of racing.
