Max takes first win of 2025 in Japan: 'Great turnaround'

Published on 06 April 2025 by Florence Cobben

Max Verstappen has soundly won the Japanese Grand Prix, driving a steady race from pole to finish. This marks his first win of the 2025 season. The reigning world champion was put under pressure from the McLarens, but neither cars succeeded in taking the attack any closer than Max’s rearview mirrors. Lando Norris finished in second, followed by teammate Oscar Piastri in third. Charles Leclerc finished fourth, while George Russell completed the top five in Japan. 

“What an unbelievable weekend”, Max said after the race. “What a great turnaround after a difficult start. You see, we never give up, we keep pushing together. When I came here this weekend, I totally didn't expect to win here. Especially after Friday. But what was the biggest thing in the end was that we started from pole."

He elaborates: "It was tough, (I was) just pushing very hard on the last set (of tyres). The two McLarens were pushing me very hard, but it was a lot of fun out there. Not easy, of course, to manage the tyres. But I’m incredibly happy. It started out quite tough this weekend, but we kept improving the car and today it was in it’s best form. And of course starting on pole – that made it really possible to win this race.”

At the end of the last stint, the McLaren drivers started to gain on Max and prepared to attack. Max reflected: "My tyres began to get a bit too warm. But it was an advantage that today it was a bit colder. Because of this we had less danger of the tyres overheating, because that's a constant problem for us." There weren't many overtakes in the race. In the end, the McLarens also didn't bring the fight to Max. Max: "There are a lot of fast corners here, so it's difficult to keep up. The tyres get very hot the closer you get to someone. It gets very tricky."

After a succesful collaboration between Red Bull and Honda, this marks the last race in Japan between the two collaborators. Max reminisced: “It means a lot to me. It was in the back of my mind during those last few laps. I was like: ‘I need to stay ahead, it would be a great story – a final farewell race with Honda here in Japan.’ And I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved over all those years together. This is, of course, a perfect send off."

It is cool in Suzuka at 14 degrees and a track temperature of 22 degrees. Looming in everyone’s minds is the 20% chance of rain. Max starts today’s race from pole position, after an impressive qualifying yesterday. Lando Norris starts next to him on the front row. Yuki Tsunoda, Max’s new teammate, starts his homerace from fifteenth. Almost all the drivers are starting on mediums, with the exception of Hamilton, Bortoleto and Ocon, who opt for hards. Doohan and Stroll are on softs. 

Max comes away well and effortlessly keeps his lead in the first few turns. However, it’s not long before problems emerge: Max weighs in over the team radio and complains about his shifts. A couple of laps later, he’s reporting the shifts are doing better. Alexander Albon is also unimpressed with the shifts on his FW47. 

Lap 18 is when the strategy game kicks in. McLaren debates bringing in Lando to undercut Max, but at the last second they ask him to stay out. Max asks his engineer if he needs to drive a bit quicker – Lambiase confirms it would be best. Birthday boy Oscar Piastri is the first of the top three to come in. After a flawless pitstop he returns to the grid in ninth place. 

Verstappen, Norris and Leclerc come in at the same time. Norris starts to come out of the pit alongside Max, who is driving on the pitlane. Norris hits the grass as he tries to jockey for position. Max emerges having drawn the long straw, and drives away ahead of Norris. Both drivers accuse the other of wrongdoing via their team radios, but the stewards choose to take no further action. 

In lap 32, Kimi Antonelli, the race leader, comes into the pits after an impressive stint on medium tyres. Wtih Antonelli gone, Max reclaims the lead of the race. The top three – Max, Norris, and Piastri – are now in the final stretch to the finish line. Piastri consistently drives within DRS-range of Norris, but doesn’t put the pressure on. The Australian reports over the team radio that he would like to take the fight to his teammate, and he has the pace to catch up to Max. McLaren decides not to let the two drivers race. 

A number of times, it looks like Piastri is about to apply pressure on Norris, but in the end the driver backs off. The Japanese Grand Prix seems to end the way it began: Max claims his first win of 2025, while Norris crosses the line in second. Piastri takes third, followed by Leclerc, Russell and Antonelli. Tsunoda finishes his home race, and his first race for Red Bull, in twelfth. 

Order a scale model of the white RB21 and/or Max's Japanese helmet here: www.verstappen.com/collections/japan-collection

Results Grand Prix Japan: