SUZUKA, Japan – Max Verstappen roared back to form on Sunday, clinching the Japanese Grand Prix and securing his first victory of the 2025 Formula 1 season. The Red Bull driver’s triumph at the iconic Suzuka circuit ended a “mini-slump” of just two wins in his previous 16 races, reaffirming his dominance with a fourth consecutive victory on this challenging track.
Starting from pole position after a record-breaking qualifying lap he described as “insane,” the four-time defending F1 champion outpaced McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who finished second and third, respectively. The McLaren duo had dominated the season’s opening races in Melbourne and Shanghai, but Verstappen’s flawless performance in dry conditions—despite earlier rain—halted their momentum. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc took fourth, followed by Mercedes’ George Russell and teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli in sixth. Japan’s own Yuki Tsunoda, making his debut with Red Bull’s top team, finished 12th.
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Max Verstappen is the first driver to win FOUR consecutive Japanese GPs 🏁🏁🏁🏁
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) April 6, 2025
He hasn't been beaten at Suzuka since 2019 🤯 pic.twitter.com/R3DDrjsM0w
Verstappen credited relentless teamwork for the win. “We keep pushing,” he said post-race. “Unbelievable. A great weekend for us.” The victory narrows the drivers’ standings gap, with Norris leading at 62 points to Verstappen’s 61 after three races.
"What an unbelievable weekend" 👏
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 6, 2025
Celebrations and congratulations for Max Verstappen over the radio! 📻#F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/HeUd6kEWDl
The turning point came in Saturday’s qualifying, where Verstappen’s final lap edged out the McLarens. “It was fun, just pushing very hard at the end,” he noted. Sunday’s race unfolded cleanly, with Verstappen building a two-second lead over Norris by lap 10. A tense pit-stop battle around lap 20 saw Norris veer onto the grass, a move Verstappen dismissed as self-inflicted. Stewards quickly ruled no investigation was needed.
Mid-race, 18-year-old Antonelli briefly led, becoming the youngest driver to do so in F1 history. However, Verstappen regained control by lap 32 and surged to his 64th career win, finishing 1.3 seconds ahead of Norris. “Push from here,” his radio urged—and he delivered, cementing a triumphant weekend for Red Bull.
Key Points: Max Verstappen Wins Japanese Grand Prix
- First Win of 2025: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the Japanese Grand Prix, marking his first victory of the Formula 1 season and ending a “mini-slump” of two wins in 16 prior races.
- Suzuka Streak: The Dutch driver secured his fourth straight win at Japan’s Suzuka circuit, starting from pole with a record-breaking qualifying lap.
- Podium Results: McLaren’s Lando Norris finished second, teammate Oscar Piastri took third, followed by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc (4th), Mercedes’ George Russell (5th), and Kimi Antonelli (6th).
- Standings Update: Norris leads the drivers’ championship with 62 points to Verstappen’s 61 after three races.
- Race Highlights: Verstappen led cleanly from the start, survived a close pit-stop duel with Norris, and reclaimed the lead by lap 32 to win by 1.3 seconds.
- Historic Moment: 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli briefly led mid-race, becoming the youngest driver to lead an F1 Grand Prix.
- Team Effort: Verstappen praised Red Bull’s relentless improvements, calling it an “unbelievable” weekend.
