Verstappen breaks Mclaren's dominance: First victory of the season in Suzuka!

Verstappen breaks Mclaren's dominance: First victory of the season in Suzuka!

Suzuka, Japan - Max Verstappen won the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka on April 6, 2025, thus ensuring his first victory of the 2025 Formula 1 season. The Red Bull Pilot prevailed with a lead of 1.423 seconds before the second-placed Lando Norris. Oscar Piatri, who drove on his 24th birthday, secured third place and was unable to overtake his teammate Norris. These successes break the dominance of McLaren that previously shone in the season.

Verstappen achieved the pole position in qualifying on Saturday and was able to defend his leadership during the race to the finish line. There were no shifts in the start in the first ten positions. The weather conditions were cool, and after an announced rain, it fell before the start, causing the ideal line to stay dry.

competition and performance

The course of the race was shaped by a strategic pit stop: Norris went to the box at the same time in round 22. However, Norris lost valuable time when he drove to the grass at the pit exit. Verstappen commented that Norris drove himself into the grass, which reduced his chance of a top position.

The top six drivers ended the race in the same order in which they started, which was only fourth time in over 1,000 Formula 1 race. Charles Leclerc overtook Sebastian Vettel as Ferrari's most successful point collector by finishing fourth. Lewis Hamilton achieved his best result for Ferrari.

• Result of the top six:
• 1. Max Verstappen (Ned/Red Bull)
• 2. Lando Norris (GbR/McLaren)
• 3. Oscar Piatri (from/McLaren)
• 4. Charles Leclerc (Mon/Ferrari)
• 5. George Russell (GbR/Mercedes)
• 6. Andrea Kimi Antonelli (ITA/Mercedes)

Young talents and records

The performance of Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who is the youngest pilot at 18 and 224 days, is particularly remarkable, who has ever completed a leadership round and the fastest racing round in a Formula 1 race. Antonelli ended the race behind George Russell in sixth place.

The event in Suzuka was of historical interest, since 28 of the last 31 races were won there by drivers of the first series of start. With regard to the World Cup, Norris remains with one point ahead of Verstappen, while the next race will take place in Bahrain in a week.

The special white painting from Red Bull used is considered a lucky charm and underlines the team strategy with which they went into this race. In an exciting competition, both the drivers and the teams offered an intensive and captivating show for the audience.

For more details on the formula 1 history and current innovations, the Motorsport-Magazin is referred, a comprehensive database that has been documented all racing results since 1950.