Japanese Grand Prix: Verstappen defeats McLarens in Suzuka stalemate
F1 NewsSunday, 06 April 2025 at 13:35
Max Verstappen turned his greatest Qualifying lap into a masterful victory over both McLarens at the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix, a virtuoso performance by the Red Bull ace at Suzuka to narrow the Formula 1 Championship battle to one point after three rounds.
The entire field seemed to get a rocket start, as they snaked very orderly at high speed around the packed Suzuka Circuit. The way they started was almost the way they ended the opening lap—apart from Fernando Alonso squeezing by Pierre Gasly further down the order—with Verstappen leading both McLarens.
At the front, the order remained unchanged for most of the race. Lando Norris chased gamely throughout the 53 laps, keeping Verstappen within a 1.5-second window, with birthday boy Oscar Piastri also within that gap to the two leaders. The trio drove fast, flawlessly, and ultimately in formation all the way to the chequered flag.
If there was ever a chance, it came during the pitstop window. The leaders—Verstappen and Norris—pitted on the same lap. The McLaren crew, stationed at the head of the pitlane, did a superb job of releasing their man almost side by side with Verstappen as the #1 Red Bull also emerged onto virtually the same piece of tarmac.
Inevitably, as Norris kept his foot down, he found the lane narrowing and ended up slithering onto the dirt as Verstappen disappeared up the road. It was a highly ambitious attempt at taking the lead—but it was never truly on. Where was he going?
McLaren dropped the ball again in a two versus one battle
Thereafter, the race returned to its earlier stalemate, with Verstappen leading Norris, and Piastri hovering with intent. With ten laps to go, Piastri was on the radio urging the team to give Norris a hurry-up, as the trio at the front remained separated by only a couple of seconds.
Inexplicably McLaren never swapped the cars, when it became apparent Piastri might have a better shot at Max than Norris. But a serious attack never came from. And that's how it stayed, as they started VER-NOR-PIA. Another Verstappen masterclass, dominating a Grand Prix weekend that should've been a McLaren one-two. One man defeated Two!
"Perfection, Max" was the call over the radio from Verstappen's pit wall. A true and apt summary that was of one of the great performances from our World Champion who gets better every GP weekend.
After his 64th Formula 1 victory, Verstappen said: "It was tough. The McLarens were pushing me very hard. It was a lot of fun but not easy pushing the tyres. I am incredibly happy. This weekend started off quite tough but we didn't give up, kept improving the car. Today it was on its best form. Starting on pole made it possible to win."
Norris: They were quick and no mistakes, so he deserved it
McLaren will rue a missed opportunity. They may have tried a more aggressive strategy with two cars hunting one, and by all accounts a better car too. But in the end, Norris had no answer in his arsenal, ditto Piastri who was feisty behind his teammate. Even releasing him is unlikely to have troubled Verstappen's #1 car.
Norris said in Parc Ferme after the race: "I guess I just lost out yesterday [Qualifying]. Max drove a good race today, no mistakes. The pace was too similar today to do anything more. Long race, a lot of pushing. It was a flat-out race from start to finish, so tough, but just not enough today, nothing special that we had that we could get Max on. They were quick and no mistakes, so he deserved it."
Piastri added: "The pace was good, I was very happy with that and we got close a few times. But the track position around here is so important. Yesterday was the day you win the race and [we] didn't do a good enough job. I felt if I had the track position I could go and get Max but that is what happens when you qualify behind."
1997 F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve, told Sky F1: “McLaren don’t seem overly disappointed which is strange as they should have been first and second. They were not slow but beaten by a team and driver who were better than them and that should hurt."
Tonight, the McLaren debrief will be very interesting as they analyse how they dropped the ball on this one, allowing their nemesis to keep them in check when a one-two beckoned this weekend, as it should be in Bahrain next weekend with the car they have at their disposal.
Stalemate from P4 to P6
The next three also finished how they started the race. P4 going to Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari who had a pretty anonymous race, almost 14 seconds behind the leaders with the Mercedes duo George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli in his mirrors.
Leclerc was reeled in by the pair of Silver Arrows but managed to keep them at bay. Notably 18-year-old Antonelli led the Grand Prix for several laps, becoming the youngest driver to lead a Formula 1 race. And another performance that surely seals his place on the grid for years to come.
Lewis Hamilton was 29 seconds off the leaders when he crossed the line in P7. Ferrari putting behind them the embarrassment of the double-disqualification in China, albeit on an underwhelming weekend for the Reds at Suzuka.
With P8, Isack Hadjar did his shares the world of good with a gutsy display by a driver clearly relishing his chance in the spotlight. The Racing Bulls rookie had the better of his teammate Liam Lawson all weekend. The Red Bull reject finished P17.
Albon shines, Sainz disappoints
Alexander Albon was another driver whose performances this year have been a revelation. The Williams driver delivered another spirited showing to P9 with some mouth-watering overtakes.
Meanwhile, his teammate Carlos Sainz continued to spiral on another forgettable weekend for the Spaniard who is one of the big disappointments of this season. A mystery too.
The final point went to another rookie, Oliver Bearman in P10 was a just reward for the Haas driver who comprehensively outperformed his veteran teammate Esteban Ocon who was only good for P18.
Inexplicably Tsunoda was voted Driver of the Day, when the likes of Antonelli, Hadjar and Bearman were far more deserving. This and Antonelli being voted DoD after the Chinese GP makes a mockery of the 'accolade' voted by F1 fans. Ignorant ones obviously.
Final word to Red Bull team principal on Verstappen's victory and the afternoon at Suzuka: "Our priority is the drivers' championship. The Constructors' will be harder but it is a long year and you never give up. It is a marathon and things can change. It is all about maximising your opportunities and we have done that this weekend.
"That was one of Max's best weekends. Max, without any debate, is the best driver in the world currently, but you are a team, not a driver. Wining is a real tonic. We know this car has some vices and we know where we need to improve. Bahrain will be a completely different challenge," concluded Horner.
2025 Japanese Grand Prix Provisional Result
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