formula one japanese grand prix: max verstappen conquers suzuka

There’s no denying Max Verstappen’s admiration for the Suzuka circuit. Back in 2022, when the Dutchman won the Japanese Grand Prix for the very first time, all the signs pointed towards a special relationship brewing between the two. In a three-hour-long, rain-hit race that featured barely 28 of the scheduled 53 laps, destiny came into play for Verstappen as he crossed the finish line to win not just the Grand Prix, but his second consecutive championship.

In 2023, Verstappen was already comfortably ahead of the pack in points, pace and position, and he single-handedly guided Red Bull to the Constructors’ title. The 2024 race, held much earlier in the season, saw him zoom through a cherry-blossom-adorned Suzuka Circuit to victory.

However, this season’s victory was sweeter than ever. The defending champion, who had been constantly lurking in the shadows of the top runner, finally pounced at the perfect opportunity to climb atop the podium. A four-month dry spell came to an end, and Verstappen had announced his title defence bid.

McLaren playing catch-up

It was starting to look like the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri would become an untouchable force. With a win apiece, they headed into the third race of the 2025 Formula One season with one undeniable element — confidence.

They dominated all three practice sessions and firmly established themselves at the top of the grid. Even during the crucial qualifying, the current championship leader Norris had stitched together a terrific lap to all but guarantee himself pole.

However, in the dying moments of the session, Verstappen decided to switch gears. Zipping through the high-speed corners and demanding curves, he used every square of the track limits and whipped up a masterclass final lap to beat Norris by just over one-hundredth of a second.

Despite driving a Red Bull that was not fully up to scratch, the 27-year-old guided his car to the front of the grid. The Milton Keynes-based team was both shocked and elated; once again, their talisman had delivered.

What made it even more special was that it was Red Bull’s final race with Honda in Japan. The resident engine manufacturer will partner Aston Martin in 2026, while Ford is set to power Red Bull. A seven-year relationship that delivered countless victories needed a fitting farewell, and it was up to Verstappen to see it through.

Action off-track

The build-up to the race revolved predominantly around the ‘Max vs McLaren’ storyline, but the second Red Bull driver was also the centre of attention for more reasons than one.

Yuki Tsunoda (below), who had been overlooked for the coveted promotion from the sister team Racing Bulls, had finally landed the Red Bull seat. Liam Lawson’s lacklustre performances in just two races led to his departure, paving the way for his former RB teammate.

It was a dream-come-true moment for Tsunoda, as his race weekend debut with Red Bull was in front of his home crowd.

While the Japanese driver’s abilities and talent were never in doubt, the conversation in the paddock was about whether Lawson had been given enough time to prove his worth. The full-season rookie was judged based on performances on two unfamiliar tracks, especially in a car that carried a dark cloud over it.

Now increasingly referred to as the ‘second seat curse’, Lawson had become the fifth victim after being given only two attempts. Such has been the case with Red Bull, which has remained cut-throat when it comes to finding the right driver to play second fiddle to Verstappen.

So, back in 13th and 14th on the starting grid, a two-way tussle between Lawson and Tsunoda was on the cards.

A damp squib

With showers early in the morning ahead of the race, it seemed like another dramatic affair was waiting to happen. The opening lap saw front-runners Verstappen and Norris point their cars towards each other, ready to put their elbows out heading into turn one.

As the lights went out, the pole-sitter cut off his McLaren rival perfectly, setting the tone for the rest of an error-free race. If there’s one thing Verstappen excels at, it’s leading from start to finish.

Behind the front three, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc held on to fourth, keeping the Mercedes pair of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli at bay. Russell had been consistently quick throughout the weekend, while the young Antonelli continued to impress.

The 18-year-old had a shot at becoming the youngest-ever race winner but settled for the title of youngest race leader. Meanwhile, Tsunoda needed only a few laps to pass Lawson, completing a significant single-place ‘swap’.

But apart from a few scattered overtakes, the event was labelled ‘boring’ by the drivers themselves. The narrow layout and slim overtaking opportunities left little room for excitement — though mistakes could still prove costly.

Nevertheless, the race heated up in the closing stages, with Norris and Piastri trying to chase down leader Verstappen. The Australian driver Piastri, coming off a win in China, even urged his team to let him pass his teammate in pursuit of victory.

Verstappen could see his rivals closing in but holding them off was critical — a task he executed with ease. With the trophy in hand and a commanding victory secured, he ensured the battle for the Drivers’ Championship is now wide open.