Max Verstappen Clinches Fourth Consecutive Japanese GP Victory, Holding Off McLaren’s Norris and Piastri

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Max Verstappen has continued his dominance at the Suzuka Circuit by securing his fourth consecutive victory at the Japanese Grand Prix on April 6, 2025. The reigning World Champion produced a flawless performance in the race, fending off fierce competition from McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to claim the top spot.

Verstappen, starting from pole position, showed his racecraft from the very beginning. Despite a slight delay during his pit stop, which allowed Norris to challenge him at the pit exit, the Dutch driver managed to maintain the lead. Norris, attempting to overtake Verstappen as they emerged from the pit lane, was forced to take evasive action, driving onto the grass. Both drivers voiced their displeasure on the team radio, but the stewards decided not to investigate the incident, leaving Verstappen in the lead.

The race saw intense battles, particularly in the final stages. While Norris and Piastri made significant efforts to close the gap, Verstappen's pace remained unyielding. Norris was able to defend his second position from Piastri, who was celebrating his 24th birthday, with the Australian securing third place.

Verstappen crossed the line 1.423 seconds ahead of Norris to claim his 64th Grand Prix victory. The win also marked a significant milestone in the 2025 season, giving Verstappen his first victory of the year and narrowing the gap in the championship standings. He is now just one point behind Norris, who still leads the driver standings.

Race Results:

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) – 1:22:06.983

2. Lando Norris (McLaren) – +1.423s

3. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – +2.129s

4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – +16.097s

5. George Russell (Mercedes) – +17.362s

6. Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – +18.249s

Other notable finishes included George Russell in fifth and Andrea Kimi Antonelli in sixth. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc secured fourth place, while Mercedes rookie Antonelli impressed with his pace during the race.

Further down the grid, Yuki Tsunoda took P12 in his Red Bull debut, just missing out on points in front of his home crowd. The top 10 was rounded out by Isack Hadjar, who scored his first points of the season in eighth, and Haas’ Ollie Bearman in 10th.

Key Moments:

• Verstappen's controlled performance after a slow pit stop kept him ahead of the McLaren drivers.

• Piastri’s challenge for second place against Norris in the final laps added to the drama, though it was not enough to displace him.

• The battle between Verstappen and Norris at the pit exit was a key moment, but Verstappen managed to retain his lead.

Verstappen reflected on his victory, saying, “It was tough, just pushing very hard, especially on the last set. The two McLarens were pushing me very hard, and it was a lot of fun out there. It started off quite tough this weekend, but we didn’t give up, we kept improving the car, and today it was in its best form.”

As the 2025 season progresses, the next race will take place at the Bahrain International Circuit from April 11-13, where Verstappen will aim to extend his momentum.

Championship Standings Update:

• Lando Norris – 94 points

• Max Verstappen – 93 points

• Oscar Piastri – 83 points

• George Russell – 72 points