The reigning world champion secured his 64th career Grand Prix victory by outpacing McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
The Dutch driver finished nearly 1.5 seconds ahead of British driver Norris, who managed to stay ahead of his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri from Australia in third place.
Having won on a damp track that was drying out at Suzuka, Verstappen’s victory in Japan was his fourth consecutive and reduced the gap between him and Norris at the top of the drivers’ championship standings to just one point.
Verstappen commented, “It was tough. The McLarens were pressing me really hard.”
“It was a lot of fun, but not easy when pushing the tires. I am incredibly happy.”
“Starting on pole made winning possible.”
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished fourth, outpaced by the Mercedes duo of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton was seventh, trailed by Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar, Williams’s Alex Albon, and Haas’s Oliver Bearman.
Yuki Tsunoda concluded the race in 12th place in his debut race for Red Bull, replacing Liam Lawson, who started 17th for Red Bull.
Pit Stop Incident
Verstappen and Norris were involved in a mid-race incident as they both exited from pits.
Norris attempted to pass Verstappen but ended up on the grass after the Dutchman refused to give way.
Norris claimed he was forced off, but Verstappen insisted it was not his fault, stating, “He drove himself onto the grass.”
The incident was reviewed by the race stewards, who ultimately decided against further investigation.
Despite initial struggles to adapt to his Red Bull car this season, Verstappen secured pole position in Suzuka with a track-record time, his first of the season.
Verstappen took the lead cleanly at the first turn and maintained it throughout the early stages of the race.
Eighteen-year-old rookie Antonelli briefly led the race, becoming the youngest-ever leader in Formula One as both Verstappen and Norris were in the pits.
Verstappen resumed the lead without much difficulty, and his team allowed him to maintain a strong pace for the remainder of the race.
Piastri expressed to his team, “I have the pace to get Max,” but was unable to catch the Red Bull driver.
Despite dry conditions throughout the week at Suzuka, which were disrupted by several trackside fires, it rained early on Sunday, negating any possibility of a repeat during the race.
Lando Norris remains at the top of the 2025 F1 drivers’ standings with 62 points, followed by Verstappen on 61 points and Piastri in third on 49 points.
