Verstappen dominates Japanese GP for fourth consecutive Victory
Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool
Max Verstappen secured his first win of the 2025 season with a dominant performance at the Japanese Grand Prix. The defending World Champion fended off the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to clinch his fourth consecutive victory at the historic Suzuka Circuit.
Starting from pole position, Verstappen established a solid lead over the McLarens in the early stages of the race. However, the pit stop phase brought some drama when a slightly slow stop by the Dutchman allowed Norris, who had pitted on the same lap, to attempt an overtake at the pit exit. This forced Norris onto the grass, with Verstappen retaining his position.
Both drivers expressed their dissatisfaction with the incident over team radio, but the stewards decided not to investigate, allowing Verstappen to maintain his lead. As the race progressed, Verstappen built a substantial gap to Norris.
The final ten laps saw Piastri close in on Norris, prompting the Briton to increase his pace. Despite the late push, Norris could only narrow the gap slightly, with Verstappen taking the checkered flag for his 64th Grand Prix victory.
Norris finished second, fending off a potential challenge from his teammate Piastri, who had to settle for third place on his 24th birthday. Charles Leclerc secured fourth for Ferrari, followed by the Mercedes pair of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. Antonelli had an impressive run in the lead during the pit stop phase after a long opening stint.
Lewis Hamilton added to Ferrari's points total with a seventh-place finish, while rookie Isack Hadjar earned his first points of the season with a strong drive to eighth for Racing Bulls. Alex Albon finished ninth for Williams, and Haas's Ollie Bearman secured the final point in tenth.
Just outside the points was Fernando Alonso in 11th, a relief for the Aston Martin driver after failing to finish the first two rounds of the season.
Yuki Tsunoda finished his Red Bull debut in 12th place, earning Driver of the Day honors from the fans despite not scoring points. Tsunoda's former teammate Pierre Gasly was 13th for Alpine, followed by Carlos Sainz for Williams and Jack Doohan in the other Alpine.
Nico Hulkenberg ended in 16th for Kick Sauber, with Racing Bulls returnee Liam Lawson in 17th. Esteban Ocon finished 18th for Haas, and Kick Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto and Aston Martin's Lance Stroll rounded out the order in 19th and 20th, respectively.
Verstappen's victory brings him within a single point of Norris in the championship standings, with Piastri moving up to third ahead of Russell.
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