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A third Red Bull 1-2 this season in just 4 rounds! DRC’s Formula 1 Japanese GP review.

Red Bulls domination, Ferrari’s strong pace and continued struggles for Mercedes. Here’s how the 2024 F1 Japanese GP went:

Published

1 year ago

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A third Red Bull 1-2 this season in just 4 rounds! DRC's Formula 1 Japanese GP review.

Formula 1 arrived at Suzuka for the 49th Japanese Grand Prix at an unconventional time, compared to recent years when Suzuka typically featured later in the calendar. Despite the unusual timing, the cherry blossoms everywhere were a treat for all.
 A close battle was anticipated, given Sainz’s recent victory in Australia and Red Bull’s dismal performance in the same race. Unfortunately, the outcome didn’t align with the expectations as Red Bull regained their momentum and returned to their winning form, securing their third 1-2 finish of the season. 

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Qualifying Report

Max Verstappen continued his streak of pole positions after setting a pole lap time of 1:28.197s. His teammate, Perez, came very close after an insane lap but fell short by 0.066s. Norris was the closest to the Red Bulls as he qualified third, and the last race winner, Carlos Sainz, managed to place his car at P4.

The other Ferrari of Charles Leclerc only managed a meager P8 despite showing brilliant pace in the practice sessions.

“I’m not happy with our qualifying today. The feeling in the car was quite good, but the pace was just not there, so we will look at the data and assess what exactly this was down to.”
 – Charles Leclerc ( post Quali )

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Veteran Fernando Alonso continued his great run at Suzuka after grabbing the fifth spot on the grid. In contrast, his teammate Stroll was eliminated in Q1 itself leaving the Aston Martin team with many questions regarding their car’s performance.

The challenging times for the Alpines persisted despite the updates, with Ocon and Gasly commencing the race from the 15th and 17th positions, respectively. Surprisingly, Gasly has yet to qualify for Q2 this year.

The Silver Arrows had a decent pace, resulting in them qualifying P7 and P9 on the grid. Piastri continued his run of consistent performances as he qualified P6. On the other hand, his fellow countryman, Ricciardo, missed out on Q3 and qualified for P11 after being pushed to the elimination zone by his teammate and local boy, Tsunoda.

A third Red Bull 1-2 this season in just 4 rounds! DRC's Formula 1 Japanese GP review.

Race Report 

Verstappen and Perez got off to a great start after keeping Norris at bay, who in turn was under pressure from the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz. But the action didn’t continue for long as Ricciardo and Albon crashed during the opening lap, causing a red flag and bringing the action to a standstill. 

Ricciardo commented on the incident post-race,

“After yesterday, where we made some steps in the right direction, I was really excited to come racing today to have a good day. In Turn 2, the tyres settled a little bit, but I still felt like I was sliding and then saw an Aston on the outside of me. I was watching him but when I was preparing to enter Turn 3, without using all the track as it was the first lap, Albon got alongside me and had a better exit from Turn 2. I didn’t see him and we touched.”

The incident provided all the other drivers with an opportunity to grab a free pit stop.

A third Red Bull 1-2 this season in just 4 rounds! DRC's Formula 1 Japanese GP review.


Everybody in the Top 5 followed a similar tyre strategy by starting on the Medium compound. Alonso took a brave call by switching to Softs whereas the Mercedes drivers started on Hards.

Zhou retired a few laps later, citing a gearbox issue.

Norris was one of the earlier cars to pit in the race to undercut the Ferraris, but huge tyre degradation saw him falling behind. In the end, he managed to bring home P5 for the team. Meanwhile, his teammate wasn’t able to do anything significant as he spent the majority of the race behind the car of Alonso and ultimately got overtaken by Russell during the final laps of the race, resulting in an 8th-place finish for him.  

Piastri reflected on the race and said,
“It was a difficult afternoon. Things didn’t quite click into place and we weren’t fighting for the positions we wanted to. However, it’s four points finishes on the bounce this year and there’s plenty to take away.” 

The Ferraris were the second-best team on the race day. Although Leclerc started 8th on the grid, he managed his tires beautifully, having stopped only once after the red flag, and led an amazing drive to P4. Sainz also demonstrated an impressive pace, securing himself a spot on the final podium step. 

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The Silver Arrows scored a handful of points as George and Lewis finished P7 and P9, respectively. They seemed to be looking for a one-stopper in the race, but neither car had the race pace to match the rest of the grid which eventually caused them to switch to a two-stop strategy. Interestingly, Lewis conceded his track position to Russell in the race claiming that George was much faster and had a better shot at chasing the guys ahead.

Fernando Alonso continued to impress the fans with his consistent performances for the British team. Starting at P5, he managed to keep the pursuing Mclaren of Oscar Piastri at bay for most of the race. During the final moments, George Russell was closing in on Alonso and Piastri,  but Alonso strategically kept Piastri in the DRS zone to defend against the oncoming Mercedes. In the end, he managed to finish P6. 

Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin battled with the mid-field pack; he nearly cracked the top 10 but fell short, settling for P12 after being overtaken by Haas of Nico Hulkenberg. 

The local Japanese, Yuki Tsunoda, kept his starting position in the race result and also won a solitary point after finishing 10th at his home Grand Prix.

Ecstatic after the race, he commented,
 “A big thank you to everyone at Honda, Red Bull, and Visa Cash App RB who have been involved and supported me throughout my journey. I don’t feel like I scored P10 today but P1 – it’s a great feeling.”

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Verstappen and Red Bull returned to their original winning ways. He established a solid lead on both occasions with a strong start, distancing himself from the rest of the field. Although Perez had to grind a bit after being undercut by Norris for P2, once he did reclaim his position he continued to drift away from the rest and gained a comfortable lead.

Team Standings – After the Japanese GP

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Teams will go racing again in Shanghai in two weeks as the Chinese Grand Prix returns to the Formula 1 calendar after a break of five years and 104 races.

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Formula 1

Belgian GP Battle Through the Rain: The Thrills of Spa 2025

What was meant to be a showcase of Spa’s legendary high-speed curves turned into a waiting game. Here is our Belgian GP review

Published

4 weeks ago

on

July 31, 2025

By

Belgian GP Battle Through the Rain: The Thrills of Spa 2025

2025 Belgian GP: Torrential rain delayed the start by 80–90 minutes, with visibility concerns forcing multiple laps under the Safety Car before a rolling start from lap 5. The drama began before the race even started. Heavy rainfall caused an 80-minute delay as race control weighed safety concerns due to low visibility and spray from modern ground-effect cars. While some criticized the cautious approach, it proved wise: conditions improved just enough for a rolling start on lap 5, and the field finally went racing.

Perfect Strategy, Flawless Execution: McLaren’s Spa Statement

Oscar Piastri, starting just behind Norris, made his move immediately after the safety car pulled in. Seizing the moment through Eau Rouge and the Kemmel Straight, he powered past Norris with an assertive overtake that set the tone for the race.

Switching to medium slicks at just the right time, Piastri extended his gap over the field, showing supreme confidence in low-grip conditions. The win marked his sixth victory of the season, boosting his title hopes and further establishing him as the championship leader.

Norris Claims P2 in Wet and Wild Belgian GP

While Lando Norris put up a fight early on, his decision to opt for hard tyres in the drying phase proved costly. Struggling for grip compared to Piastri’s mediums, Norris was unable to mount a late challenge. Still, he comfortably brought the car home in second, giving McLaren its third one-two finish of the season.

“He did a better job in the beginning, and that was it. Nothing more I could do after that point. I would love to be up top, but Oscar deserved it today.” – Lando Norris(post race)

Despite narrowly missing out on victory, Norris’s consistency continues to keep him in the hunt for the Drivers’ Championship, just 16 points behind his teammate.

Max Verstappen: A Homecoming Without Glory

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, racing in the post-Christian Horner era, could manage only P4, battling balance and pace issues all weekend. Throughout the race, Verstappen wrestled with car instability in mixed conditions. Red Bull’s setup—optimised for low drag and top speed—offered little help through Spa’s wet and winding middle sector. Even as others found pace, Verstappen remained mired behind Charles Leclerc and couldn’t mount a serious charge for the podium.

Belgian GP Battle Through the Rain: The Thrills of Spa 2025

To compound matters, team communication lacked its usual clarity—perhaps a sign of turbulence following recent management changes.

Ferrari: A Lone Wolf in the Storm

Scuderia Ferrari found light in the gloom. While the team couldn’t match the runaway pace of McLaren, Charles Leclerc delivered a composed drive to bring home a valuable P3 podium finish, salvaging pride for the prancing horse at a chaotic Belgian Grand Prix.

Belgian GP Battle Through the Rain: The Thrills of Spa 2025

Lewis Hamilton reminded the world that even at 40, class is permanent. Starting a distant P18, the seven-time world champion delivered a gritty and intelligent performance to climb up to P7—one of the standout recovery drives of the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix.

“Today’s race was a really positive step forward. The strategy and pit stop were executed perfectly, and the overnight changes we made to the set-up really allowed me to get the most out of the car.” – Lewis Hamilton(post race)

Mercedes: Smart Strategy, But Pace Still Missing

George Russell drove a quiet but solid race. Starting higher up the grid, he avoided unnecessary risks, stayed out of trouble during the wet phase, and finished P5, just behind Verstappen. He extracted everything the car had to give, but couldn’t mount a serious challenge to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc — let alone the dominant McLarens.

Despite challenging wet conditions and a delayed race start due to rain, Antonelli remained composed, gaining valuable experience battling seasoned drivers on a tricky track. While he did not score points, his consistent lap times and ability to stay on track without mistakes impressed Mercedes.

Williams: Alex Albon defends Lewis Hamilton

Albon’s weekend began with a strong performance in qualifying, where he secured a season-best P5, marking Williams’ best qualifying result of the year. He executed a one-stop strategy, switching from intermediate to dry tires at the optimal moment, which allowed him to capitalise on the evolving track conditions.A standout moment came when Albon expertly defended his position against a charging Lewis Hamilton, finishing P6 in the race.

Carlos Sainz, on the other hand, started from the pit lane due to a poor qualifying session and a strategic error with the rear wing setup. Sainz struggled throughout the race. He finished in 18th place, a result that reflected the team’s challenges in adapting to the evolving track conditions.

Racing Bulls: Liam Lawson aquaplanes into top 10 finish

Liam Lawson delivered a standout performance at the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps, securing his third points finish of the season with an eighth-place result. This achievement was particularly significant given his challenging start to the year and the team’s recent management changes.

Issack Hadjar, a rookie who got many top 10 finishes, faced a challenging weekend, culminating in a 19th-place finish in the race. This result was a step back from his earlier performances, highlighting the competitive nature of Formula 1 and the unpredictable dynamics of the Spa circuit.

Kick Sauber: Development and progress

Bortoleto continued to demonstrate his skill and consistency. He finished in 9th place, earning valuable points for the Kick Sauber F1 Team. This result was particularly notable as it marked his first points finish in Formula 1, underscoring his potential and the team’s progress.

Belgian GP Battle Through the Rain: The Thrills of Spa 2025

Nico Hülkenberg faced a challenging weekend, culminating in a 12th-place finish in the main race. This result was a step back from his remarkable podium at Silverstone earlier in the season. Despite the setback, Hülkenberg’s performance underscored the competitive nature of Formula 1 and the unpredictable dynamics of the Spa circuit.

Race Result

Drivers Standings

Constructor Standings

Next up in the double header: Hungarian Grand Prix

As the F1 circus heads to Hungary, the message is clear: McLaren are no longer chasing the front—they are the front. And unless rivals find a response soon, the papaya-colored cars might just be painting the 2025 season in orange glory.

Belgian GP Battle Through the Rain: The Thrills of Spa 2025

Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

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Formula 1

Formula 1 British Grand Prix Review: The Race Of A Lifetime

The Formula 1 British Grand Prix was a story to tell for most drivers. A dream podium, a home race win, rain chaos, and multiple DNFs, the British GP had everything on offer.

Published

2 months ago

on

July 10, 2025

By

Lando Norris wins the Formula 1 British Grand Prix

Whenever Formula 1 visits Silverstone for the British Grand Prix, it always turns out to be one hell of a weekend, and this race was no different. It had everything you would want when you’re sitting in front of the screen on a Sunday afternoon with a drink in hand. There was rain, there was chaos, there was even Nico Hülkenberg on the podium – a race full of uncertainties.

Controversial Home Race Win

Lando Norris made it two wins in a row on Sunday, beating teammate Oscar Piastri to the finish line. Oscar led most of the race until a 10-second time penalty for reckless driving was given to him due to aggressive braking, which caused Max Verstappen to take evasive action. Soon after the restart, Max was overtaken by Lando Norris, which put him in the net race lead. This turned into P1 on track shortly after the pit stop onto slicks, as Oscar served his penalty.

Lando joined the club of 8 time race winners, an A-list with some great names, and what a way to do it – by winning your home race!

Embed from Getty Images

Hülkenburg Counters The Odds


Nico Hülkenberg writes a story of his own. 239 Race Starts later, the man in green has gotten himself and Sauber a podium. After 15 long years, the wait came to an end, and the stars finally aligned. Following the rainy chaos, Nico made all the right calls to propel himself up the grid. He was running P4 behind Lance Stroll, where an overtake on the Aston followed shortly after.

In the dying laps, he was being chased by a desperate Lewis Hamilton in Scarlet Red. However, he kept his cool and achieved what hadn’t been possible for so long.



The Streak Ends With Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton had a 13-year-long streak of scoring podiums at his home race. However, every tale must come to an end. Lewis Hamilton fell one position short of the podium, a valiant effort from the Brit. He expressed his disappointment in a post-race review, saying he was not at all happy about the race.


Charles Leclerc, on the other side of the garage, had a worse day. Jumping the gun on the slick tires early was a gamble he made, but it was a gamble that did not work. Later on, he struggled with tires following a series of VSCs, he even had an off at Beckets, cutting across the grass to add to his dismay. At the end, no points were scored by the Monegasque, a day to write off for him.

Mercedes Missed Out On An Opportunity

Following reports of talks between Max and Mercedes, they were in the spotlight coming into this weekend. A decent qualifying from the pair of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli gave them a fighting chance on Sunday. George called the change onto slicks at the end of the formation lap, and Kimi was rear-ended by Isack Hadjar, causing heavy damage to his diffuser, resulting in a retirement. George kept being in the wrong place at the wrong time, ultimately crossing the line in P10, scoring one singular point.

Formula 1 British Grand Prix Review: The Race Of A Lifetime
British Grand Prix, Sunday. Photo: Glenn Dunbar

Verstappen Struggles On Track

Red Bull ran a low downforce setup for the race, which cost them when a rain shower had showered on the track. Max was caught sliding on multiple corner exits due to the lack of downforce. Despite this, he held a strong challenge for the starting half of the race. However, at the Safety Car restart, he had a spin on the entry of the Vale chicane.

Formula 1 British Grand Prix Review: The Race Of A Lifetime
NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – JULY 06: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone Circuit on July 06, 2025 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

A good recovery by the Dutchman limited damage and placed him P10. From there, a decent effort to fight back moved him up into P5, scoring decent points. Teammate Yuki Tsunoda found it difficult, saying he did not know why the pace of the car disappeared in the race. He finished P15, last of the classified drivers.

Williams Return To Points

After a treacherous recent few rounds for the Williams outfit, finally, some luck struck with a points finish. Although Carlos missed out on points by a slim margin, teammate Alex Albon scored a respectable P8 in changing conditions

Aston Get Two Cars Into The Top 10

Both Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso secured a points finish on Sunday, even though both of them complained about the car and the package after the race.

Lance, at one point, was running in the podium positions, but he was overtaken by Nico shortly after. He ended up crossing the line in P6. Tire degradation was a prominent issue in the car, according to him in a post-race interview.

Fernando scored P8, but he showed frustration at the team’s strategy and how they always get it wrong for him.

Race Results



Standings




Next Round In Spa

For the next race weekend, we head to the hilly forest of Spa-Francorchamps. A part home race for Lando and Max. The high-speed spectacle is sure to put on a show, the longest track on the F1 Calendar includes many overtaking spots and iconic corners such as Eau Rouge and Radillon

Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

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Formula 1

Formula One’s Constant: The British GP

Published

2 months ago

on

July 5, 2025

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Formula One's Constant: The British GP

The F1 Paddock heads to Silverstone this weekend. The place where it all started. Silverstone is one of the most historic tracks on the Formula 1 Calendar.

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The 2025 Formula 1 British Grand Prix roars into Silverstone this weekend, bringing with it a fierce championship battle, homegrown heroes, and the electric atmosphere only this iconic circuit can deliver. As Round 12 of a tightly contested season, all eyes are on McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, currently locked in a close title fight as they look to extend their dominance on home soil. Meanwhile, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton returns to his home Grand Prix in Ferrari red, adding another layer of drama for British fans. With sell-out crowds, unpredictable weather, and the historic weight of Silverstone, this year’s race promises to be one of the most thrilling yet.

About The Track

Formula One's Constant: The British GP

(credit – f1.com)

Silverstone Circuit is renowned as one of Formula 1’s most iconic and challenging tracks, blending high-speed straights with a technical mix of sweeping corners. Measuring 5.891 kilometers, the former RAF airfield is a true test of car balance and driver bravery, especially through legendary sections like Maggots, Becketts, and Chapel, where rapid directional changes demand razor-sharp precision. The track’s fast-flowing nature rewards aerodynamic efficiency and cornering stability, making it a favourite among drivers. With unpredictable British weather often playing a role, and overtaking opportunities at corners like Stowe and Vale, Silverstone delivers both strategic complexity and spectacular racing action year after year.

Pirelli’s Specifications



Stories This Weekend

Special Liveries


McLaren dropped a gorgeous livery for their home race in Silverstone. A lot of chrome on the car to keep them standing out on track. This is a throwback to their iconic Vodafone Chrome livery in the late 200s



VCARB also brought out a fancy spray paint livery after a good result for them in Austria.


Hamilton At Home In Red

Lewis Hamilton makes his first appearance at home for the Scarlet Outfit. He has a record of a 14-year-long streak of top 3 finishes at his home race. He will be looking to keep that going coming into this weekend.


Rumours Of Verstappen x Mercedes

Sky Sports Italy put out a post on X saying that talks are in advanced stages between Max and Mercedes, George Russel and Max’s future remains uncertain at this stage. George expressed his will to stay at Mercedes for the foreseeable future.


F1 Movie Release

The long awaited F1 Movie produced by Lewis Hamilton starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris makes its first appearance in the big screens. With a lot of positive reviews, the movie is a recommended watch.

Weekend Schedule



Weekend Forecast

Friday: 22°C, Wind 29 km/h, 10% chance of rain
Saturday: 21°C, Wind 24 km/h, 45% chance of rain
Sunday: 21°C, Wind 24 km/h, 10% chance of rain.

It’s windier than usual, making cars unpredictable. Droplets of rain are expected during Qualifying

Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

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