Verstappen withstands pressure from Norris and Piastri to claim his fourth straight Suzuka win

Verstappen Suzuka 2025 result saw Max Verstappen return to winning form at the Japanese Grand Prix, delivering a composed and precise drive to hold off McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri for his first victory of the 2025 season.

The win – Verstappen’s fourth consecutive triumph at Suzuka – elevates him to within a single point of Norris in the drivers’ championship and reminds the grid that the reigning champion remains a fearsome force.

Starting from a superb pole secured with a lap of surgical perfection, Verstappen was never headed. Yet the victory was anything but routine. From lights out, Norris and Piastri shadowed the Red Bull, keeping within two seconds throughout a tactical and tension-filled race.

McLaren, aware of the challenge of passing on Suzuka’s narrow confines, knew their best shot was strategy. Questions swirled about their decision to pit Piastri first rather than attempt an undercut with Norris, who was closer to Verstappen at the time. McLaren later explained that Mercedes’ George Russell, who had stopped early and was setting fast times, posed a threat to Piastri.

Verstappen and Norris boxed together a lap later. What followed was a moment of drama: a faster McLaren pit stop allowed Norris to exit alongside Verstappen, but the Dutchman held firm on the pit-lane exit. Norris was forced onto the grass and fumed over the radio, suggesting he’d been pushed wide. But after review, stewards sided with Verstappen.

“That’s quite an expensive lawnmower,” Verstappen joked post-race as he and Norris replayed the incident.

Despite the close calls and sustained pursuit, McLaren never truly threatened. Norris couldn’t break into DRS range, while Piastri, who looked racier of the two, hovered just behind and subtly requested to be let through – a suggestion McLaren ultimately ignored.

The top three finished in the same order they’d held since the opening stint, separated by just 2.2 seconds. It was a race largely devoid of overtaking, but high in strategic tension and wheel-to-wheel brinkmanship.

“I’m incredibly happy,” said Verstappen. “We kept improving the car all weekend and today was the best it felt. Starting on the pole was crucial.”

Norris was gracious in defeat: “We pushed flat out, but the pace was just too similar. Max did a great job – he deserved that one.”

Behind the leading trio, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc edged George Russell for fourth, with teenage sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli delivering a statement drive. The 18-year-old became the youngest-ever F1 race leader and fastest lap setter, surpassing Verstappen’s longstanding records from 2016.

Lewis Hamilton, running an alternative tyre strategy, claimed seventh with a measured drive that saw him pass Isack Hadjar early on – the only top-10 overtake of the race. Alex Albon put in a feisty display to finish ninth despite publicly criticising his Williams strategy, while British rookie Oliver Bearman closed out the points in tenth for Haas.

Japanese favourite Yuki Tsunoda, in his first race for Red Bull, finished 12th, unable to make significant inroads. His predecessor Liam Lawson, demoted to Racing Bulls, trailed home 17th in a forgettable outing.

With the championship now wide open, all eyes turn to the next round as Verstappen’s momentum grows. Suzuka may have delivered few overtakes, but the psychological blow it dealt in the title fight could prove telling.