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Formula 1 in India: A Curious Case

What if I told you you could have watched F1 on Doordarshan? Or that we could have had a Hyderabad Gp or even a Mumbai GP long before the Indian GP at Buddh? Surprising right

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2 years ago

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Formula 1 in India: A Curious Case

India has seen significant growth in its motorsport culture over the past decade. The popularity of racing events like the Indian Grand Prix, which was held first in 2011, demonstrated the immense interest and enthusiasm of Indian fans. Bringing Formula 1 back to India would further fuel this passion and contribute to the development of motorsport in the country. The introduction of Drive To Survive in 2018 only accelerated the growth. When it comes to F1 fan bases around the world, India ranked 5th largest in 2019[1]. But it still doesn’t have an official broadcaster in the country nor do we have an Indian GP. Ever wondered what went wrong? Or what could have been?

1. Broadcasting: Doordarshan to F1TV

Let’s go back to the times when F1 was in India. It all started back in 1995. Schumacher had just won his first championship the previous year, and the world was mourning the passing of Senna. Damon was upset about the Australian GP, and India was about to experience its first live Formula 1 event. Vicky Chandhok, a familiar name, as he’s the father of Karun Chandhok, had his own production house that held the broadcasting rights for F1 races in India.

However, there was a problem. Cable TV had only been introduced in India three years prior, and Chandhok had to decide whether to offer F1 as pay-per-view or show it on the national network, Doordarshan. They chose the safer option of broadcasting F1 on Doordarshan, but it wasn’t easy. Prasar Bharti, the parent organization of Doordarshan, wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about showcasing car racing during their prime-time television slots. Eventually, Vicky had to pay Doordarshan just to broadcast Formula 1 on their network, marking the first live telecast of F1 in India.

However, this arrangement didn’t last long. At that time, F1 cars prominently featured tobacco sponsorships, which became a problem when the Indian parliament decided that promoting such products on television wasn’t ideal. As a result, the broadcasts were abruptly discontinued.

Later on, the broadcasting rights for F1 shifted to ESPNStar, which was known as Star Sports in the early 2000s. Interestingly, many new F1 fans might not be aware that India used to have its own pre and post-race shows, separate from the world feed. Steve Slater became a household name in India as he became the voice of F1 in the country. [2]

Steve Slater - the unsung hero of Formula 1
Steve Slater for Star Sports

However, after ESPNStar transformed into what we now know as Star Sports, the decline in F1 broadcasting began. Investments in Formula 1 were reduced, the pre and post-race shows were canceled, and Indian commentators were lost. Eventually, Indian fans were left with only the international feed, which was also discontinued in 2023 when Star Sports didn’t renew the contract with F1. As a result, Indian fans were left with no option but to subscribe to F1TV in order to watch the sport.

2. Hyderabad: Biryani, Charminar and Formula 1?

Transporting us back to the early 2000s, a time of shifting cultural landscapes and technological advancements, Formula 1 found itself in the spotlight of discussions for a potential race in Hyderabad. Chandrababu Naidu, the then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, embarked on a three-day trip to Italy during the Italian GP weekend in an ambitious attempt to bring Formula 1 to Hyderabad as early as 2006. During his visit, he met with Bernie Ecclestone and Herman Tilke, successfully securing Ecclestone’s acceptance to visit Hyderabad and finalize the deal.

In fact, a preliminary agreement was even signed, setting the stage for hosting F1 races in the city from 2007 onwards[3]. Simultaneously, Sharad Pawar, the former CM of Maharashtra, announced that Mumbai would also bid for a race, claiming that it possessed better existing infrastructure and was more suited to host a race in the near future[4].

Naidu on fast track - India Today
N. Chandrababu Naidu with Michael Schumacher’s trainer Balbir Singh

However, for Hyderabad to successfully host a Formula 1 race, significant infrastructural improvements were required. These included an international airport, an expressway connecting the airport to the race track, five-star accommodations for the entire grid comprising teams, officials, journalists, and media teams, as well as an international standard trauma center to ensure safety during the event. Additionally, a race track that met all the safety regulations set by the FIA was of utmost importance.[5]

Despite the ambitious plans, the anticipated cost of $200 million posed a significant obstacle. Moreover, the plight of millions of farmers facing a severe drought added to the challenges. Ultimately, Chandrababu Naidu’s dream of bringing an F1 race to his state faded away with his defeat in the 2004 elections. Similarly, Mumbai’s bid for an F1 race also faced a similar fate, as the government showed little interest in allocating hundreds of millions of dollars for motorsports ventures.

3. It’s here! Indian GP Gurgaon 2010 Noida 2011

In June 2007, following extensive negotiations between the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Bernie Ecclestone, it was officially announced that India would host a Formula 1 race in the 2009 season. The chosen location for the race was Gurgaon, and the track design was entrusted to the renowned Hermann Tilke. However, in September of the same year, a change in plans emerged, and it was decided that the race would instead debut in 2010 at the Buddh International Circuit.

Formula 1 in India: A Curious Case
Charles Pic, Caterham CT03 Renault, Indian Grand Prix 2013

Unfortunately, due to delays in land acquisition and construction works, the inaugural Indian Grand Prix was once again postponed, this time for an additional year. The timeline was incredibly tight, with the circuit’s inauguration occurring just a few weeks prior to the October 2011 Indian Grand Prix.[6]

4. Empty your pockets.

Jaypee Group, the owners of the track, invested approximately $463 million at that time in the construction of the circuit, aiming to recoup their investment as quickly as possible [7] . Additionally, they had to pay around $50 million just to secure a spot on the Formula 1 calendar. Consequently, ticket prices for the event were set quite high. During the inaugural race, the cheapest ticket was priced at Rs 2,500, while the Main Grandstand boasted a staggering Rs 35,000 price tag. However, due to poor sales, organizers later reduced the Main Grandstand ticket price to Rs 15,000 for the Race Day. Regardless, the inaugural race drew a crowd of approximately 1 lakh people.

In the following year, both ticket prices and attendance decreased. The cheapest ticket for the 2012 Indian Grand Prix was available for Rs. 2,000 on the Race Day, with the most expensive grandstand tickets priced at Rs. 12,000 for Sunday. Customers also had the option to purchase a season pass for all three days of the weekend, ranging from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 21,000 [8].

Formula 1: 2013 Airtel Indian Grand Prix ticket bookings open | India.com
Tickets for the 2013 Indian GP

However, in the third year, attendance rebounded. The race attracted a total of 85,000 people, and ticket prices were made even more affordable. The cheapest and most expensive tickets for the race day were priced at Rs. 1,500 and Rs. 12,000, respectively, while the season pass for the entire weekend ranged from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 21,000. [9]

5. Did you pay your tax?

Despite the challenging economic conditions, Jaypee remained committed to its plans and invested approximately Rs 2,000 crore (USD 314 million) in the construction of the Buddh International Circuit on the outskirts of Delhi. According to the audited accounts of Jaypee Sports International Limited (JPSI), the company also paid a licensing fee of Rs 197.7 crore (USD 31.1 million) for the inaugural race, a figure that increased to Rs 249.6 crore (USD 39.1 million) by the third edition, indicating the presence of an escalation clause in the contract.

Additionally, the inaugural race incurred operating expenses of Rs 121 crore (USD 19 million), bringing the combined costs well beyond Rs 300 crore (USD 47 million).

The exact amount of taxes paid by JPSI for hosting the race is difficult to determine as the relevant figures are not segregated in the accounts from other company activities. However, leading Indian media outlets estimated custom duties to be somewhere between Rs 8 – 10 crore (USD 1.25 – 1.57 million). The government later dropped this tax in 2014, a few months after the last Indian Grand Prix.

In terms of revenue, the promoters were only able to recover Rs 140 crore (USD 21.2 million) from the 2011 Indian Grand Prix, despite attracting a crowd of 95,000 fans to the event. The figure dropped to nearly half at Rs 76 crore (USD 11.5 million) in 2012 but recovered substantially to Rs 113 crore (USD 17.1 million) in 2013.

By this time, Jaypee had managed to reduce the operational expenses of the circuit, bringing the total cost of staging the event down to Rs 273 crore (USD 42.91 million). However, the conglomerate still had to write off losses of Rs 160 crore (USD 25.13 million), without considering taxes. [10]

6. “WE WERE ON A BREAK”

There were numerous other challenges to overcome as well apart from the tax issues. Dealing with customs to import equipment for the race teams proved to be a headache, with Ferrari even attributing their loss in the 2012 race to the delay in obtaining critical parts. The visa process was also unforgiving, as Karun Chandhok revealed in an interview with the BBC, stating that numerous media personnel and team members were unable to attend the race due to visa complications.

“Just this week, I have had at least 50 different media people from around the world, and people from teams, engineers who have called me to say, ‘Hey, we are stuck in London without a visa, we can’t come to the race” Karun Chandhok told BBC [11]

In 2014, Formula 1 initially sought to schedule a race in March instead of October, but the organizers were not prepared to host the event twice within a span of six months. However, they eventually agreed to the change. Unfortunately, the Indian Grand Prix was ultimately dropped from the calendar for that year, with Bernie Ecclestone citing bureaucratic and political issues as the primary reasons for excluding India from the 2014 F1 calendar [12] . Despite assurances that the race would return in 2015, it never materialized.

Furthermore, the owners of the track, Jaypee Group, encountered financial difficulties. As of March 31, 2015, the conglomerate’s total debt was estimated to be around Rs 75,000 crores, according to foreign brokerage firm Credit Suisse. To alleviate the debt burden, Jaypee Group opted to sell some of its cement and hydro-power plants. [13]

7. So long, farewell?

So, what’s next for the Formula 1 in India? One of the biggest misconceptions people have is that the Indian government considers Formula 1 or motorsports in general as entertainment rather than a sport. While it’s true that F1 was taxed as entertainment during its time in India, that was only at the state government level, not the central government. In 2015, the Indian government officially recognized motorsports as a sport when they included the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), the governing body of motorsports in the country, in the list of sports ministry-backed national sports federations [15] .

Image
CM Yogi Adityanath unviels ticket for India’s first MotoGP race.

It’s difficult to say for certain when the Indian Grand Prix might make a comeback, but considering the recent debut of Formula E and MotoGP in India in 2023, it doesn’t seem too far-fetched. Formula E is receiving support from the Telangana government, while MotoGP has been assured by the Uttar Pradesh government—something that Formula 1 didn’t have during its time here. These are promising signs.

With proper planning and support, the return of Formula 1 to India is within reach, although there are other factors to consider. Even if India is the perfect place to host an F1 race, it’s not guaranteed to secure a slot in the super hectic 24-race calendar that F1 currently has. Nevertheless, we remain hopeful that F1 will make its way back to the country soon.

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Formula 1

Oscar Piastri Perfects Bahrain Masterclass as McLaren Clinches Double Podium

Drama, divebombs, strategy shake-ups, and a weekend to remember under the Sakhir lights.

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2 days ago

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April 15, 2025

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Oscar Piastri with his winners trophy at the podium of the Bahrain Grand Prix

Oscar Piastri executes his race to perfection, George Russell holds off Brit Lando Norris for P2, Ferrari makes offset strategy work, RedBull Pitstop Woes, Alpine Shock, Race-altering strategy calls, thrilling divebombs, we saw it ALL this weekend at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

McLaren Dominate: Piastri’s Perfection, Lando’s Recovery

Embed from Getty Images

Oscar Piastri delivered a flawless drive to take his fourth Formula 1 victory, converting pole into a controlled race win for McLaren. Despite briefly surrendering the lead during pit stop cycles, the Australian dominated the race from start to finish, showcasing calm execution and strategic awareness.

This result also marked McLaren’s 192nd win as a constructor, and with the maximum points haul, Piastri reduced his deficit to teammate Lando Norris in the Drivers’ Championship to just three points.

On the other side of the garage, Norris had a tougher start. A disappointing qualifying session saw him line up P6, and a 5-second grid penalty was handed to him after he overshot his grid box—a mistake noticed by title rival Max Verstappen.

At lights out, Lando had a blazing start, jumping all the way up to P3 on Lap 1. Lando was unable to get past George Russell for Second place before the first round of pit stops, serving his penalty in the pits, he came out behind Charles Leclerc after all the softs runners had completed their pitstops, being able to overtake Charles on New Medium Tires put him behind the Mercedes-ran George Russell once again. The chase for P2 went on till the last lap of the race, where George ultimately held on to the second spot on the podium.

Mercedes Prevail Despite Technical Issues

Both the Mercedes Drivers had a stellar Saturday, with George Russel and Kimi Antonelli Qualifying P2 and P4 respectively, but a post-qualifying penalty for the pair of them dropped them to P3 and P4.

George had a good start to the race, jumping ahead of Leclerc’s Ferrari into P2, and he stayed in P2 crossing the chequered flag after 57 laps. However, it was easier said than done for the Brit. Following a mid-race Safety Car caused by debris on the track, George Russell was faced with the challenge of taking a scrub set of softs for 20 laps to the end, whilst almost every driver around him bar the Ferraris were on Mediums.

To add to the challenge his tires presented, he had multiple issues hampering his performance.

“It felt all under control for a moment, then suddenly we had a brake-by-wire failure, so the pedal was going long, then it was going short… I didn’t know what was going on… the steering wheel wasn’t working properly,” Russell explained.

He also had a DRS issue, where it had randomly opened whilst not in any DRS zone and also whilst he wasn’t within 1 second of any car ahead of him. Whether this is going to be a recurring issue for Mercedes, or a one-off, is something that we will get to know more about in the foreseeable future.

Oscar Piastri Perfects Bahrain Masterclass as McLaren Clinches Double Podium
George Russell and Kimi Antonelli on Saturday – Wolfgang Wilhelm


Kimi Antonelli on the other hand followed his career-best Qualifying Performance in P4 on track, which converted to P5 following his one-place grid penalty. He had a mediocre race start dropping him behind Carlos Sainz in P6. He stayed there for most of the race, later trailing behind Esteban Ocon in the Haas. Ultimately, he finished in P11 after a strategic miscalculation on behalf of Mercedes.


Ferrari’s Strategy Debate

Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton started P2 and P9 respectively, both of them were notably on the Medium Compound Tires, whilst almost everyone else was on Softs. Charles Leclerc had his eyes on Polesitter Oscar Piastri but an underwhelming start dropped him down to P4 on Lap 1.

The Men in Red went long on their first stint of medium tires, resulting in them running 1-2 for lap 16-18. Before Charles’ In-lap, we were able to hear discussions about the strategy for Charles Leclerc. Leclerc wanted the Italian Outfit to consider moving to “Plan Delta” rather than the Ferrari-insisted “Plan Bravo”.

During the Safety Car Period, Both the Ferraris had to use the Hard Tires, to finish the race which was notably despised by 4-Time WDC Max Verstappen. Following a late race effort by Charles Leclerc to defend P3 from WDC Leader Lando Norris, it was a valiant effort from Leclerc but his defence could only last so many laps.

Lewis Hamilton had another day of learning, he managed to finish P5 behind his teammate, resulting in a decent point haul for Ferrari.



Pitstop Woes Haunt Red Bull

Following Verstappen’s masterclass at the Japanese Grand Prix, There were high hopes from the Red Bull Team. However, throughout the weekend, Red Bull struggled to find a good balance in the car. They had a disappointing qualifying and race overall, with Max qualifying in P7 behind his title-rival Lando Norris, and Yuki Tsunoda lining up 3 positions behind in P10.

The disappointment followed in the race, with slow pitstops for the pair of them caused by a LED malfunction of the pit box lights, holding up the drivers for 2 seconds more than it should have. Red Bull opted for the Hard tires on Verstappen’s car. Clear messages were heard on the radio about how the tires were not a good race tire, holding max up in traffic. Come the finish line, Verstappen pipped Alpine-driven by 1.3 Seconds to come home in P6, limiting the damage.

Recently promoted Yuki Tsunoda maintained his P10 position at the start, and was on a decent race until a collision with the Williams of Carlos Sainz almost hampered his performance. Luckily, Yuki was able to continue the race and secure the first points for a Red Bull Second Driver since Las Vegas 2024.



Alpine Shock The Grid

Pierre Gasly had a shock qualifying, dragging the Alpine car into Q3 and lining up on the Second Row!

Jack Doohan also had a brilliant one-lap pace in Q1, but unfortunately fell short and qualified just short of a Q3 appearance in P11.

At the race start, Pierre Gasly was jumped by Lando Norris. He was able to hold off Kimi Antonelli for a few laps before letting go of P5. Other than that, it was a clean and good race for the Frenchman and a decent points haul as well for finishing in P7. This is a good sign of progress for the French Team showing that they can be competitive come the right conditions.

Haas’ Mega Comeback To The Points

From P20 to P10, Oliver Bearman drove a sensational recovery race. His Haas teammate, Esteban Ocon, climbed from P15 to P8, making it a double-point finish for the American team—an incredible turnaround from a tough qualifying session.



Tricky Day For Williams

Albon Qualified P16, but a delayed lap time deletion of Nico Hulkenberg promoted him up to P15, unfortunately, he didn’t get a chance to participate in Q2 because of how late the lap time was deleted. In the race, he moved up 3 positions, finishing P12, being slightly shy of the points-paying positions.

Carlos Sainz excelled in qualifying and looked more comfortable in the car than his teammate for the first time this season. He qualified P8 and was looking forward to bagging home some points for his new team.

Throughout the race, he battled hard with Yuki Tsunoda and also collided with him at T2 on Lap 28, giving him considerable damage on his right side-pod, ultimately ending his race.
Some debris had come off the Williams car, bringing out a Mid-Race Safety Car on Lap 34.
The fight with Tsunoda gave Sainz 2x 10 Second Time Penalty of which 1 was left un-served. It will carry on as a grid penalty for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.



Underwhelming Race for Aston Martin and Racing Bulls

Both the Aston Martin Cars just did not have the performance in the car this weekend to bring out any points. Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso qualified P19 and P13 respectively, and crossed the finish line in P17 and P15 respectively.

For the Racing Bulls Team, Isack Hadjar qualified in P12, shy of a Q3 appearance. Liam Lawson had a DRS issue on his final Q1 run, holding him back from improving his laptime. Hence, leaving him P17.

There was not much to note from either of the cars, other than Hadjar trying to fight for the wooden spoon of the points.

Sauber Goes Back To The Drawing Board

Both the Saubers started closer to the back of the grid with Nico Hulkenberg starting P16 and Gabriel Bortoleto starting 2 positions behind in P18. They did not make much progress throughout the race, staying in the latter positions for most of the time.

A post-race disqualification for Nico Hulkenberg for Planck-Wear just added salt to the wound for the Sauber Team.


Overall Weekend Summary

The weekend was an overtake galore along with chaos and drama, Track Limits violations were awarded a whopping 36 times throughout the race. Red Bull’s progress through the field was affected by their pitstop woes. Lando still leads the WDC by 3 points over his teammate, and McLaren leads Mercedes in the constructors by 58 points.



What to expect coming into Saudi Arabia

Come the next week, The Formula 1 Season move to the Fast-Sweeping and Dangerous Street Circuit of Jeddah, where drivers will need to be at the limit at all times if they want a chance to finish high up considering how close the grid is. The track is known for having at least 1 red flag and/or Safety Cars. The track has the Second- Fastest average speed, being 250kmph. It also features the most corners on any track with 27 corners.

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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Is Kush Maini getting close to an official FP1 outing with Alpine in 2025?

Kush Maini could become the first Indian driver to participate in an official Formula 1 session since Narain Karthikeyan’s final race at the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix.

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1 week ago

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April 8, 2025

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Is Kush Maini getting close to an official FP1 outing with Alpine in 2025?
Image Credit - James Sutton

Kush Maini was announced as one of Alpine’s four Reserve and Development drivers for the 2025 season earlier this year. Here’s why we believe Maini is getting closer to securing an official FP1 outing with Alpine during the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Alpine’s 2025 Reserve Drivers

Ahead of the 2025 season, Alpine promoted their then-reserve driver Jack Doohan to a full-time race seat following Esteban Ocon’s departure from the Enstone-based team. To bolster their driver development program, Alpine have signed not one, not two, not three—but four Reserve and Development drivers for 2025: Paul Aron, Ryo Hirakawa, Franco Colapinto, and Kush Maini.

Is Kush Maini getting close to an official FP1 outing with Alpine in 2025?
Paul Aron
Is Kush Maini getting close to an official FP1 outing with Alpine in 2025?
Ryo Hirakawa
Is Kush Maini getting close to an official FP1 outing with Alpine in 2025?
Franco Colapinto
Kush Maini gets announced as the Test and Reserve driver for BWT Alpine F1 Team
Kush Maini

Ryo Hirakawa’s mid-season switch to Haas F1 team

The 2022 FIA World Endurance Champion and 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, Ryo Hirakawa, has made a surprise mid-season move, leaving Alpine just three race weekends into the 2025 season. The switch came immediately after the Japanese Grand Prix—Hirakawa’s home race—where he made his official Formula 1 debut in the rookie Free Practice 1 session. On the Monday following the race weekend, the MoneyGram Haas F1 Team announced Hirakawa as their official reserve driver for the remainder of the 2025 season, marking a return to the Toyota family through Haas’ technical partnership.

Franco Colapinto NOT eligible for a rookie FP1 session

The Argentinian driver made a surprise Formula 1 debut in 2024, replacing the underperforming Logan Sargeant at Williams ahead of the Italian Grand Prix. In just nine races, Colapinto managed to score five points—more than the combined tally of his predecessors over the previous two seasons. His move to Alpine as a reserve driver for 2025 appears to be a strategic one, possibly intended to apply pressure on Jack Doohan in Alpine’s main lineup. However, Colapinto is not eligible for a rookie FP1 session, as per FIA regulations. A rookie is defined as a driver who “may not have participated in more than two F1 World Championship races during their career,” making Colapinto ineligible due to his nine-race stint with Williams.

What about Paul Aron?

The Estonian made an impressive Formula 2 debut in 2024, securing a race win, eight podiums, and even briefly leading the championship. Aron also made his Formula E debut with Envision Racing during the Berlin E-Prix, stepping in for Sébastien Buemi. Toward the end of the 2024 season, Aron became the first of Alpine’s four reserve drivers to be officially signed for 2025.

While he did get his first taste of Formula 1 machinery in the post-season test, completing over 120 laps in the Alpine A524, Aron still lags behind Kush Maini in terms of F1-specific experience. Maini has participated in multiple Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) sessions with Alpine across a variety of circuits, giving him a stronger case when it comes to real-world F1 seat time.

So is this the time to shine for Kush Maini?

It’s still early and unclear which direction Alpine will head toward with their rookie FP1 selections for the 2025 season. With Franco Colapinto ruled out of rookie eligibility, Ryo Hirakawa switching to Haas, and Paul Aron still catching up in terms of mileage, Maini emerges as Alpine’s most viable option to fulfill their mandated rookie FP1 slot. If Alpine follows a performance- and preparedness-based approach, Maini’s name should be at the top of their list.

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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Verstappen Orchestrates Suzuka Masterclass: 2025 Japanese Grand Prix Race Report

Verstappen’s dominant display in helps him close in on Lando Norris in the Driver’s Championship as McLaren take early lead in the Constructor’s race.

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1 week ago

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April 7, 2025

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SUZUKA, JAPAN - APRIL 06: Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates on arrival in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on April 06, 2025 in Suzuka, Japan.

In a masterclass display at the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix, Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive victory at Suzuka, leading from pole position to the chequered flag. Despite relentless pressure from McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, Verstappen’s flawless performance not only earned him his 64th career win but also brought him within a single point of Norris in the drivers’ championship standings.

Rain showers earlier in the day left the Suzuka Circuit slightly damp at the start. However, the conditions improved by lights out, with most of the field opting for medium tyres. Odd-numbered grid slots—including pole-sitter Verstappen—had the benefit of being on the grippier racing line, offering a slight advantage off the line. It was Verstappen’s first pole since the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix.

McLaren Chases Verstappen

When the lights went out, Verstappen made a smooth getaway to hold P1, followed closely by Norris and Piastri, both retaining their positions in what would evolve into a race-long chase. Carlos Sainz, meanwhile, started from 15th after receiving a three-place grid penalty for impeding Lewis Hamilton in Q2.

Verstappen Orchestrates Suzuka Masterclass: 2025 Japanese Grand Prix Race Report
SUZUKA, JAPAN – APRIL 06: Max Verstappen leads Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and the rest of the field at the start during the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images/ Red Bull Content Pool)

From the early laps, McLaren made it clear they weren’t settling for second. Norris remained within DRS range through the opening stint, while Piastri stayed within two seconds of his teammate. Despite complaining of poor upshifts—a problem that seemed to resolve itself—Verstappen managed to pull a 1.5-second gap by Lap 6.

Pit Stop Drama and a Moment for Antonelli

The race’s most dramatic moment came on Lap 22 when the front-runners dove into the pits. Verstappen and Norris pitted simultaneously, but a slightly slower stop for Red Bull gave Norris an opening. The pair went side by side at pit exit, with Verstappen holding the racing line and Norris briefly touching the grass. Both drivers aired their frustrations on team radio—Norris claimed he was forced off, while Verstappen countered, “He drove himself into the grass.” The stewards saw no need for an investigation.

The incident proved costly for Norris, who lost nearly three seconds—enough to potentially attempt a DRS pass on the following lap.

During this phase, Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli briefly inherited the race lead, becoming the youngest driver in F1 history to lead a Grand Prix—breaking Verstappen’s own record. He also claimed the fastest lap later in the race, becoming the youngest ever to do so, in yet another milestone of his promising rookie season.

Late Race Stalemate at the Front

Despite a late charge from the McLarens—with both Piastri and Norris confident they could challenge for the win—McLaren opted against a position swap. Verstappen held firm, and Norris couldn’t close the gap enough to launch an overtake attempt. The top six—Verstappen, Norris, Piastri, Leclerc, Russell, and Antonelli—finished in the exact order they started, while Hamilton had a solitary race after an early overtake on Hadjar.

In the midfield, the battle for the final points-paying positions was fierce. Isack Hadjar finished eighth, scoring his first points of the season. Alex Albon came home ninth and expressed frustration over Williams’ pit strategy on the team radio. Oliver Bearman rounded out the top ten, finishing ahead of Fernando Alonso.

Yuki Tsunoda, racing in front of his home crowd and making his debut for Red Bull, finished a disappointing 12th. The Japanese driver struggled to adapt to the tricky RB21 but crucially finished ahead of his predecessor, Liam Lawson, who endured a weekend full of mishaps and came home 17th.

Just ahead, Fernando Alonso claimed P11 for Aston Martin—his first race finish of the season. Alpine’s struggles continued, with both Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan ending the race outside the points. Carlos Sainz, despite a late switch to soft tyres, could only recover to 14th.

Verstappen Closes In on Championship Lead

This victory means Verstappen now sits just one point behind Norris, who leads the championship with 62 points. Piastri moves up to third, ahead of Russell. In the Constructors’ standings, Williams dropped to fifth, with Ferrari reclaiming fourth place.

“Of course starting on pole really made it possible to win this race”- Verstappen

Next Stop: Bahrain Showdown

As the paddock heads to Bahrain—a track known for long straights and heavy braking zones—the stage is set for a thrilling showdown. Red Bull dominated under the lights in Sakhir last year, but with the field more competitive than ever and Verstappen no longer enjoying a clear car advantage, one question remains: can the Dutchman extend his resurgence under the floodlights of Bahrain?

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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