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06-04-2025
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F1 Japanese GP: Verstappen resists the McLarens to claim first 2025 win
Motorsport photo Max Verstappen held off the two McLarens throughout the Japanese Grand Prix to clinch his first Formula 1 victory of 2025, crossing the line with a 1.4-second advantage. The Red Bull driver capitalised on his impressive qualifying run to put together a controlled drive at the front of the order, ensuring that he did not wilt under the scrutiny from the two McLarens behind - as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri could not prise open a chance to pass Verstappen. Advertisement Verstappen pulled a two-plus-second gap over Norris in the opening laps to ward off any early threats under DRS, and did not respond to McLaren's apparent dummy call for Norris to pit - as engineer Will Joseph suggested his driver could "box to overtake", but the Briton subsequently stayed out. McLaren tried to force a response by stopping Piastri at the end of the 20th lap, and Verstappen did indeed pit - but Norris followed him into the pitlane. The McLaren pit crew found a second on its Red Bull counterparts in the box, putting Verstappen and Norris level at the exit, but Norris did not have space to go two-wide on the exit and ran across the grass. His attempt to draw the stewards' attention on the radio did not come to pass as the incident was waved off, leaving his only opportunity of securing a second win of 2025 to come with an on-track overtake. Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Advertisement But, over the following 30 laps, Norris was unable to find a way to get within DRS range of Verstappen, and could only match the Red Bull driver for pace. This left McLaren with a quandary, as Piastri was happily sitting within a second of Norris and angling for a switch in positions. McLaren did not elect to pull the trigger despite Piastri's better pace, which left Verstappen untouched in front; the orange cars were left to flank the four-time champion on the podium. Charles Leclerc clinched fourth place, preserving his grid position to beat the Mercedes duo; although the earlier-stopping George Russell got to within 1.2s of the Ferrari driver by the end, he was unable to find any further ground on the Monegasque despite offering early pressure. Andrea Kimi Antonelli claimed sixth with a long medium-tyre stint, and finished a further 1.3s behind his more experienced team-mate. Lewis Hamilton's contra-strategy, starting on the hard tyres, paid off to some degree with seventh, having gained a position on rookie Isack Hadjar - who scored his first F1 points with eighth. Advertisement An irascible Alex Albon claimed ninth despite his complaints on the radio to his Williams team about gearshifts and his pitstop timing, while Haas driver Oliver Bearman clinched the final point over Fernando Alonso and Red Bull debutant Yuki Tsunoda. Liam Lawson was 17th on his return to Racing Bulls. F1 Japanese GP - race results Photos from Japanese GP - Race Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Toshifumi Kitamura - AFP - Getty Images Toshifumi Kitamura - AFP - Getty Images Fans at the circuit Fans at the circuit Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team Fan Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team Fan Mark Thompson - Getty Images Mark Thompson - Getty Images Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Clive Mason - Getty Images Clive Mason - Getty Images Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team Kym Illman (Getty Images) Kym Illman (Getty Images) Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team Toshifumi Kitamura - AFP - Getty Images Toshifumi Kitamura - AFP - Getty Images Fans at the circuit Fans at the circuit Alexander Albon, Williams Alexander Albon, Williams Kym Illman (Getty Images) Kym Illman (Getty Images) Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, George Russell, Mercedes, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, George Russell, Mercedes, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Fans Fans Mark Thompson - Getty Images Mark Thompson - Getty Images Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Mark Thompson - Getty Images Mark Thompson - Getty Images A fan dressed as Sebastian Vettel A fan dressed as Sebastian Vettel Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images Fans at the circuit Fans at the circuit Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing Clive Mason - Getty Images Clive Mason - Getty Images Fans at the circuit Fans at the circuit Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari MOHD RASFAN-AFP via Getty Images MOHD RASFAN-AFP via Getty Images Pierre Gasly, Alpine Pierre Gasly, Alpine Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Traditional Geishas prior to the F1 Grand Prix Traditional Geishas prior to the F1 Grand Prix Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Jack Doohan, Alpine, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Jack Doohan, Alpine, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Bryn Lennon - Formula 1 Bryn Lennon - Formula 1 Fans at the circuit Fans at the circuit Fans at the circuit Fans at the circuit Fans at the circuit Fans at the circuit Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Andy Hone / Motorsport Images Andy Hone / Motorsport Images Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Fans at the circuit Fans at the circuit Fans at the circuit Fans at the circuit Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team Mark Thompson - Getty Images Mark Thompson - Getty Images Jack Doohan, Alpine Jack Doohan, Alpine Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Fans at the circuit Fans at the circuit Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing Andy Hone / Motorsport Images Andy Hone / Motorsport Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Carlos Sainz, Williams Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Carlos Sainz, Williams MOHD RASFAN-AFP via Getty Images MOHD RASFAN-AFP via Getty Images Fans at the circuit Fans at the circuit Fans at the circuit Fans at the circuit Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team Bryn Lennon - Getty Images Bryn Lennon - Getty Images Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images Oscar Piastri, McLaren Oscar Piastri, McLaren Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images Adam Norris, father of Lando Norris, McLaren Adam Norris, father of Lando Norris, McLaren Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing, Stefano Domenicali, CEO of the Formula One Group Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing, Stefano Domenicali, CEO of the Formula One Group Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 Team, Laura Mueller, Haas F1 Team Race Engineer Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 Team, Laura Mueller, Haas F1 Team Race Engineer Peter Fox - Getty Images Peter Fox - Getty Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Mark Thompson - Getty Images Mark Thompson - Getty Images Pierre Gasly, Alpine Pierre Gasly, Alpine Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team Andy Hone / Motorsport Images Andy Hone / Motorsport Images Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Mark Thompson - Getty Images Mark Thompson - Getty Images Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team Andy Hone / Motorsport Images Andy Hone / Motorsport Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Mark Thompson - Getty Images Mark Thompson - Getty Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Peter Fox - Getty Images Peter Fox - Getty Images Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren Clive Rose / Getty Images Clive Rose / Getty Images Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Lando Norris, McLaren Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Lando Norris, McLaren Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images Oscar Piastri, McLaren Oscar Piastri, McLaren Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Philip Fong - AFP - Getty Images Philip Fong - AFP - Getty Images Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber Andy Hone / Motorsport Images Andy Hone / Motorsport Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images Race winner Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Race winner Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Philip Fong - AFP - Getty Images Philip Fong - AFP - Getty Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Andy Hone / Motorsport Images Andy Hone / Motorsport Images Lando Norris, McLaren Lando Norris, McLaren Philip Fong - AFP - Getty Images Philip Fong - AFP - Getty Images Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Andy Hone / Motorsport Images Andy Hone / Motorsport Images Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Steven Tee / Motorsport Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
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05-04-2025
- Automotive
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F1 Japanese GP: Verstappen grabs surprise pole to defeat the McLarens
Motorsport photo Max Verstappen stormed to a surprise pole position at the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix as the reigning world champion defeated both McLarens to grab top spot. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri had been setting the pace during practice, but it was Verstappen who delivered when it mattered, putting in a new track record of 1m26.983s to secure his fourth successive Suzuka pole. Advertisement Early championship leader Norris will start alongside the Dutchman having been pipped by just 0.012 seconds, while Chinese Grand Prix winner Piastri is third alongside Charles Leclerc's Ferrari. Before Verstappen's fine effort, it was Mercedes that had been worrying the McLaren duo but George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli could only make the third row. There had been plenty of talk about Red Bull's decision to switch Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda heading to Japan but neither made it into Q3, instead it was the Racing Bull of Isack Hadjar who impressed to go seventh, despite reporting a cockpit issue during the opening session. Lewis Hamilton will be disappointed to have only managed eighth, ahead of the Williams of Alex Albon and Oliver Bearman, the Haas man making it three rookies in the top 10. Advertisement Once again, the hour-long session descended into farce when a fifth red flag of the weekend for a trackside grass fire caused delays in Q2. A fire fighter sprays the grass at the side of the track to dampen it A fire fighter sprays the grass at the side of the track to dampen it Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images After the latest incident had been dealt with, there was plenty of improvement across the board, meaning both Lawson and Tsunoda were eliminated. Lawson will start a place ahead of his Red Bull replacement having gone 14th on his return to Racing Bulls, while Pierre Gasly, Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso also failed to make the top 10 shootout. Lawson eked out of Q1 in 15th place, just 0.016s faster than the Sauber of Nico Hulkenberg, whose team-mate Gabriel Bortoleto was also eliminated. Advertisement Esteban Ocon, having finished fifth last time out in China, had to settle for 18th on the grid this time around having been unable to match the pace of Bearman in the sister Haas. Lance Stroll endured a miserable session, running off at Dunlop Curve when on a flying lap and will start at the back, with the rebuilt Alpine of Jack Doohan alongside him after his huge shunt in FP2 on Friday. F1 Japanese GP – Qualifying results
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05-04-2025
- Automotive
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F1 Japanese GP: Norris leads McLaren 1-2 as grass fires interrupt practice
Motorsport photo Lando Norris closed out Japanese Grand Prix practice with the fastest time, just 0.026 seconds ahead of McLaren Formula 1 team-mate Oscar Piastri, as the session faced two red flags due to grass fires. Advertisement The championship leader aborted two hot laps during his late-session qualifying simulations on soft tyres due to minor wide moments on the exit of the second Degner corner, but rallied on his third attempt to set a 1m27.965s. Although Norris did not beat his best first sector time on that lap, he found further improvement in the final two sectors to snatch the best lap from Piastri. This could not be beaten in the late-session flurry of hot laps of soft tyres; Norris's timesheet-topper was followed by a grass fire - the second of the session - on the grass alongside 130R. Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto had run marginally wide here on the entry to the flat-out left-hander, and just about saved his car from spinning off into the opposite wall. Moments later, the grass here caught fire to bring the session to a close. Advertisement Despite overnight attempts to quell any further grass fires, the first of the two FP3 red flags was brought out after just six minutes of running, as the island of grass between Turn 12 and the chicane used for motorbike racing at the Suzuka course was ignited. George Russell, Mercedes George Russell, Mercedes Peter Fox - Getty Images Peter Fox - Getty Images This led to a short seven-minute delay, leaving Max Verstappen's first timed run on hards perched at the top of the order. But his time was quickly brushed aside by a series of soft-tyre laps on the restart, as Norris shuffled ahead on his first play for a lap; in turn, the Briton was deposed by the two Ferraris. Advertisement Piastri then reclaimed top spot, bringing the times into the 1m28s ballpark, before George Russell eclipsed him at the head of the leaderboard. The Australian bounced back to sink below the 1m27s bracket, which Russell found himself almost a tenth shy of entering - but this was simply the prelude to Norris's later move to the top. Russell shook out in third ahead of Charles Leclerc, while Verstappen got a late upgrade to fifth after his initial soft tyre run - he had been just a tenth ahead of new team-mate Yuki Tsunoda before the Dutchman was offered a second attempt. He found the car "undriveable" at certain corners, after being offered a chance of a change in diff settings by engineer Gianpiero Lambiase. Lewis Hamilton was sixth ahead of Alex Albon, who sat ahead of Pierre Gasly, Tsunoda - who didn't get a chance to close in on Verstappen late into the session - and Isack Hadjar. Carlos Sainz was 11th, after surviving an excursion at Turn 6 due to a snap of oversteer. Both Verstappen and Piastri were pinged by the stewards having appeared to not follow the race director's instructions governing practice starts on the pitlane exit. F1 Japanese GP – FP3 results
