Max Verstappen hit back in the duel with the superior McLaren and confidently celebrated his first win of the season.
The Formula 1 world champion held the pressure from Lando Norris and Oscar Piatri at the Grand Prix of Japan on Sunday (April 6, 2025), with clever tire management and a faultless journey, the Dutch made up for the inferiority of his Red Bull-in the end he cheered on his 64th triumph in the premier class.
In the World Cup, he sent a clear sign: the defending champion is also to be expected in 2025.
Increase in Verstappen
Verstappen had laid the foundation for success with a sensational round in qualifying on Saturday. There he still snatched Norris the pole position, in the race he used this advantage ice cold. Norris and Piatri followed two and three in places, in the third race the winner was not a McLaren pilot for the first time.
In the World Cup, Vice World Champion Norris remains at the front, Verstappen, who impressively increased during the weekend, but moved closer. The world champion seems to be the only one who can keep up in the duel with the McLaren pilots Norris and Piatri.
Ferrari pilot Charles Leclerc (Monaco) already had a clear gap to the top trio as the fourth. This was followed by the Mercedes drivers George Russell (Great Britain) and Kimi Antonelli (Italy) in front of record world champion Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain/Ferrari). Nico Hülkenberg (Emmerich/Sauber) missed the points.
Norris rumbles through the grass
The announced rainfall had only existed in the morning. So it remained with the strategy, “To drive full, to stay in front as long as possible and to pay attention to the tires at the same time“, said Red Bull’s motorsport consultant Helmut Marko before the race. Verstappen implemented the requirement.
At the start he reacted quickly, came into the first curve without distressing and drove out a small cushion on Norris and Piatri. It became exciting at the pit stop: Verstappen and Norris came to change the tire at the same time. The Dutch kept his way ahead, Norris rumbled through the grass next to him.
Dispute between Verstappen and Norris
“He pushed me out and clearly saw me. I was already next to him”The Brit said that Verstappen sparked that Norris had left the trail of free pieces. Both demanded sanctions for each other – however, they failed to materialize. “We have to overtake him on the route “the command stand Norris let know: “You do a good job with the tires, better than him.”
But as much as Norris struggled, he did not come closer to the error -free Verstappen until then. Even in the last third of the race, the Dutch had just under a second and a half second ahead, Norris failed to drive into the DRS window. Instead, Norris had to defend himself against Piatri, who was now sensing the chance on his 24th birthday.
“I think I have the pace to attack Max”Piatri sparked the box, Norris should make room. Didn’t do the Brit and secured second place behind the outstanding Verstappen.