Four in a Row for Verstappen with Dominant Japanese GP Victory

TDT | Manama

Email : hussianm@newsofbahrain.com

Max Verstappen extended his dominance at Suzuka, securing a fourth consecutive victory at the Japanese Grand Prix—a historic first for any Formula 1 driver at the circuit.

Starting from pole, the Red Bull driver led every lap, fending off pressure from McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to clinch his first win of the 2025 season, marking his 64th career victory. Verstappen crossed the finish line 1.4 seconds ahead of Norris, with Piastri taking third.

“We didn’t have the easiest start to the weekend, but we kept improving,” Verstappen said. “The car was at its best today—it feels incredible to win here again.”

In a race full of milestones, 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli also made history. The Italian rookie became the youngest driver to lead a Formula 1 race, surpassing Verstappen's 2016 record by just two days. Antonelli also set the fastest lap, finishing sixth after a composed drive.

“It was a surreal moment,” Antonelli reflected. “Leading a race and setting the fastest lap—it’s a day I’ll never forget.”

The race, which started in damp conditions, saw all 20 drivers complete the full distance—something that only occurred four times last season. The top 12 remained unchanged after the opening lap, with Yuki Tsunoda making a move into 13th.

Verstappen’s flawless pace, especially during the second stint, proved unassailable. The first round of pit stops saw Norris and Verstappen emerge side-by-side, with Norris briefly forced onto the grass. Though he claimed he was pushed off, no further action was taken after a stewards' review.

Behind the leading trio, rookie Isack Hadjar impressed by finishing eighth and securing his first career points. Meanwhile, Alex Albon extended his streak of top-10 finishes with a solid ninth-place result.

Charles Leclerc finished fourth for Ferrari, while George Russell rounded out the top five in his Mercedes.

Despite reducing the gap to Verstappen in the standings, Norris acknowledged that there was no catching the Dutchman on the day. "It was a flat-out race from start to finish,” he said. “I gave it everything, but Max didn’t make a single mistake."

Verstappen’s win brings him just one point behind Norris in the driver standings, setting the stage for an exciting title battle as the 2025 season progresses.

Japanese Grand Prix – Top 10 Finishers:

• Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
• Lando Norris (McLaren) +1.423s
• Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +2.129s
• Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
• George Russell (Mercedes)
• Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
• Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
• Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
• Alex Albon (Williams)
• Ollie Bearman (Haas)