The quadruple world champion Max Verstappen led a checkered flag to win the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, his first victory for the 2025 season, with Lando Norris from McLaren. Dutch pilot Red Bull crossed the finish line nearly 1.5 seconds ahead of British Norris, who selected his teammate from McLaren, Oscar Piastri, from Australia in third. The victory on a wet track but dried in Suzuka was the fourth consecutive victory of Verstappen in Japan and committed the gap in Norris at the top of the pilot championship at a point.
“It was difficult. The McLarens pushed me very hard,” said Verstappen.
“It was very fun but not easy to push the tires. I am incredibly happy.
“Starting on the post made it possible to win.”
Charles Leclerc de Ferrari finished fourth in front of the Mercedes pair of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
Lewis Hamilton de Ferrari finished seventh, with Isack Hadjar from RB, the next advance on Alex Albon de Williams and Oliver Bearman from Haas.
Yuki Tsunoda finished 12th in his first race for Red Bull since his replacement for Liam Lawson, after starting from 14th on the grid in his Grand Prix at home. Lawson finished 17th for RB.
Verstappen and Norris were involved in a flash point halfway through the race while the two-runners came out of a stand at the stand.
Norris launched himself alongside Verstappen, but the Dutchman refused to move and Norris was forced on the grass before backing up on the track.
Norris said “he forced me” but Verstappen told his team that he was not to blame.
“He rolled up on the grass,” said Verstappen.
The stewards examined the incident and decided not to investigate more.
Verstappen was struggling to go with his Red Bull this season, finishing second in Australia and fourth in China.
But he managed a tour for the ages by qualifying himself in Suzuka, piping Norris to claim his first pole of the season at a time of track record.
Verstappen was properly fled from Norris and Piastri in the first round, with little change in the grid.
The Dutchman quickly established control by posing the fastest tour and his advance increased at the start of the race.
The eighteen-year-old recruit Antonelli briefly took the lead while Verstappen and Norris were in the stands, to become the youngest leader in the Formula One race.
Verstappen quickly recovered his head and his team gave him the green light to push until the end of the race.
The two McLarens stayed on his tail, Piastri saying to his team “I have the pace to get Max” but Verstappen could not be caught.
The conditions in Suzuka had been dry all week, with a series of small track fires interrupting several times, but the rain suppressed early Sunday to repeat in the race.
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