Suzuka Delivers Speed but Lacks Spark in Dull Sunday Showdown
Verstappen Wins, But Excitement is in Short Supply
Max Verstappen once again proved why he’s the most complete driver on the grid, taking his third straight win of the season in commanding fashion. He led the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix from lights to flag, holding off a consistent but ultimately non-threatening challenge from the McLarens.
The only real moment of drama? A tight release into the pit lane as Lando Norris exited behind Max. It was as close as it got — both in proximity and tension. After that, it was steady intervals all the way to the finish.
This win was Verstappen’s 64th in Formula 1, matching Michael Schumacher’s tally when he won the 2002 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. Coincidentally, it came in Verstappen’s 212th Grand Prix — one race earlier than when Hamilton achieved his 64th win. Verstappen also broke the lap record at Suzuka this weekend with a scorching 1:26.983 in qualifying, besting Sebastian Vettel’s 2019 benchmark.
Suzuka 2025 also joined an elite club of Grand Prix events — it became just the 16th race in Formula 1 history where all cars finished. Only one car, Lance Stroll, was lapped. The level of reliability and professionalism in the current grid continues to push new benchmarks.
Final Top 10 Classification:
- Max Verstappen – 1:22:06.983
- Lando Norris – +1.423
- Oscar Piastri – +2.129
- Charles Leclerc – +16.097
- George Russell – +17.362
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli – +18.671
- Lewis Hamilton – +29.182
- Isack Hadjar – +37.134
- Alexander Albon – +40.367
- Ollie Bearman – +54.529
McLaren Strategy Misses the Mark
With both cars within striking distance of Verstappen, McLaren opted to play it safe — and paid the price. Pitting Piastri into traffic and matching Red Bull’s stop for Norris left no opportunity to leapfrog the Dutchman. When Piastri began to close in, the team chose not to shuffle track positions. The result? A 2–3 finish with no threat to Red Bull’s win.
The feeling in the paddock is that McLaren’s race strategy remains risk-averse, especially when boldness could make the difference. Norris was calm but frustrated; Piastri visibly unimpressed in post-race interviews and cooldown room antics. His now-viral remark — “That’s all the highlights?” — summed up the race for many fans.
Rookie Watch: Hadjar, Bearman & Antonelli Shine
Isack Hadjar continued his hot start to the season with another strong drive, finishing P8 and once again showing maturity beyond his years. Despite limited prior experience at Suzuka, his pace was consistent and his composure intact — a sign that his Q3 performance was no fluke.
Ollie Bearman scored points for the second straight race, taking P10 for Haas and giving the team its third consecutive points finish — their first such streak since 2017. On a demanding circuit like Suzuka, Bearman’s performance stood out. He managed tires well, avoided mistakes, and again outpaced his teammate. His rise in form is earning him growing praise in the paddock.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli delivered another measured and impressive performance to finish P6. That makes him the first driver since Lewis Hamilton in 2007 to score points in each of his first three F1 races. He also became the youngest driver in F1 history to lead a race — breaking Max Verstappen’s record by just four days — and set the fastest lap during the race. Over team radio, he admitted he was giving it everything, shortly before improving on his own benchmark. His calm under pressure and relentless pace continue to validate Mercedes’ bold decision to promote him directly from F2.
DRS Trains, Lawn Mowers, and an Uneventful Afternoon
With little overtaking at the front and minimal degradation across the grid, the race became a procession. Even DRS struggled to spice up the show. Post-race, Verstappen joked about the pit lane drama being the highlight, calling Norris’ car “an expensive lawn mower.”
Piastri and Norris offered perhaps the most candid (and comedic) review of the race in the cooldown room. When shown the race highlights, Piastri asked, “That’s all the highlights?” and confirmed, “Nothing happened.”
And yet, it was a solid day for Verstappen, who now leads the championship with three wins from three starts. Suzuka may not have delivered the most electric action on Sunday, but the title fight — and rookie storylines — remain alive and compelling.
Doohan’s Post-Race Struggle
While the cameras cut away quickly, Jack Doohan appeared to be struggling physically after the race. Unable to remove himself from the car unaided, he was helped by a mechanic and Esteban Ocon as he avoided using his left hand altogether. Though there was no official statement, signs point to a lingering wrist issue possibly stemming from his earlier crash in FP2. With a triple header approaching, Doohan’s condition could become a serious concern.
Final Thoughts
Three races. Three different winners. But in Japan, Verstappen looked like the only one who mattered.
Piastri’s post-race quip said it all: “That’s it? That’s all that happened in the race?”
Let’s hope Bahrain serves a little more spice.