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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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3 months ago

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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 McLarenā€™s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, Verstappenā€™s flawless performance not only earned him his 64th career win but also brought him within a single point of Norris in the driversā€™ 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 slotsā€”including pole-sitter Verstappenā€”had the benefit of being on the grippier racing line, offering a slight advantage off the line. It was Verstappenā€™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 werenā€™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 upshiftsā€”a problem that seemed to resolve itselfā€”Verstappen managed to pull a 1.5-second gap by Lap 6.

Pit Stop Drama and a Moment for Antonelli

The raceā€™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 radioā€”Norris claimed he was forced off, while Verstappen countered, ā€œHe drove himself into the grass.ā€ The stewards saw no need for an investigation.

The incident proved costly for Norris, who lost nearly three secondsā€”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 Prixā€”breaking Verstappenā€™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 McLarensā€”with both Piastri and Norris confident they could challenge for the winā€”McLaren opted against a position swap. Verstappen held firm, and Norris couldnā€™t close the gap enough to launch an overtake attempt. The top sixā€”Verstappen, Norris, Piastri, Leclerc, Russell, and Antonelliā€”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 Williamsā€™ 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 Martinā€”his first race finish of the season. Alpineā€™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 Constructorsā€™ 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 Bahrainā€”a track known for long straights and heavy braking zonesā€”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 itā€™s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, weā€™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

6 days 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 comes out with 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 Hulkenberg 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 after he slammed on the brakes aggressively, causing Max Verstappen to take evasive action. Soon after the restart, Mav was overtaken by Lando Norris, which put him in the net race lead. Which shortly after the pit stop onto slicks, turned into P1 on track 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

Hulkenburg Counters The Odds


Nico Hulkenberg writes a story of his own, 239 Race Starts, and 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 order. 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 everyone thought was impossible.



The Streak Ends With Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton had a 13-year-long streak of scoring podiums at his home race. However, the 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 itā€™s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, weā€™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 weeks ago

on

July 5, 2025

By

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 McLarenā€™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 1ā€™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 trackā€™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: 22Ā°C, Wind 29 km/h, 10% chance of rain
Saturday: 21Ā°C, Wind 24 km/h, 45% chance of rain
Sunday: 21Ā°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 itā€™s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, weā€™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

Austrian GP Review: Lando Withers The Storm, Piastri Falls Short, Sauber Double Points

A scintillating Austrian GP brought out the best of our Championship Leaders. From Lando and Piastri’s tussle on track, Antonelli misjudges his braking zone and takes out Verstappen, Lawson P6, and Sauber, getting both cars in the points! The race in Spielberg had a lot to offer.

Published

2 weeks ago

on

July 5, 2025

By

Austrian GP Review: Lando Withers The Storm, Piastri Falls Short, Sauber Double Points
Image Credit - McLaren


A scintillating Austrian GP brought out the best of our Championship Leaders. From Lando and Piastri’s tussle on track, Antonelli misjudges his braking zone and takes out Verstappen, Lawson P6, and Sauber, getting both cars in the points! The race in Spielberg had a lot to offer.

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McLaren Top The Charts

Austrian GP: Lando Norris
SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – JUNE 29: Race winner Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren celebrates on the podium with Champagne during the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 29, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Joe Portlock/Getty Images)

Lando Norris scored a near-perfect weekend, topping every session he participated in. Formula 2 rookie Alexander Dunne got a taste of Formula 1 in FP1, setting a lap just two-tenths away from the top time that session.

Lando topped the sheets in Qualifying, landing him a clear road ahead for the start of the Austrian GP. Lando got away well at the beginning, maintaining his lead. A 21-lap-long attack from his teammate Piastri for the lead of the race was long and intense. It brought out the best that the Leaders had to offer, with no room for error; maintaining the lead was crucial for a strategic advantage.

Lando was holding off his teammate, giving him priority in the pit stops. Piastri employed an overcut strategy and attempted an attack on Lando in the dying stages of the Austrian GP. However, passing backmarkers who were in a battle of their own wasn’t as easy as it seemed.

At the line, the McLarens crossed the line P1 and P2, scoring maximum points for the team and making the WDC Battle a whole lot more interesting.


Ferrari Scores Valuable Points

The team in P2 of the Constructors scored big points on Sunday, with Charles Leclerc scoring P3 and Lewis Hamilton falling short of the podium in P4. However, it was not sunny days for the Scarlet Outfit. Once again, another miscommunication and strategy blunder by the Ferrari team ruled out any opportunity for Lewis to move up the field. With 20 laps to go in the race, Lewis Hamilton was on the Hard compound tires and wanted to run to the end on that set, possibly. Ferrari ignored that call and brought Lewis into the pits anyway.

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Two Sides Of The Coin for Mercedes

Rookie Kimi Antonelli got into trouble early on in the Austrian GP, misjudging the braking point in T3 and running into the back of Max Verstappen and ending both their races prematurely on Lap 1.

George Russell was our race winner last race weekend in Canada; however, this time, the package wasn’t present. He was 60s off the leading pair, finishing P5.

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Sauber Scores Double Points

For the first time in a while, Sauber dragged both their cars into the points, with Gabriel Bortoleto in P8 and Nico Hulkenberg in P9. The upgrade package seems to be working for Sauber.

Sauber has outscored Red Bull over the last 3 races. Sauber has scored 20 points, whereas Red Bull has scored 19.

Williams Faces Issues

Williams has not had the most incredible run of races in the most recent rounds. This round, however, was much worseā€”a double DNF for the prestigious British outfit. Carlos Sainz was on the back foot all weekend long. A stalled car on the formation lap was the cherry on top. Even though he was able to get the car running, an early retirement led to disappointment.
His teammate had no better luck, facing a DNF as well.


Other Notable Performances

Liam Lawson scores his best result of the season, earning a well-deserved P6 for the VCARB driver, which secures him some much-needed points.

Fernando Alonso crossed the line in P7, making it points scored in 4 consecutive races for the Spaniard. It was a massive comeback after what was considered his career-worst start to the season.

Esteban Ocon landed Haas a single point; a very well-run, under-the-radar race brings home a valuable point.

Austrian GP Results

Standings

Next Race In Silverstone

Its Lewis Hamilton’s first home race in red! He’ll be looking to continue his 11 year long record of finishing in the top 3 in Silverstone.
The WDC gap closes and gets tense.
Mercedes and Verstappen look for redemption.
Williams look for solid ground.

Desi Racing Co.Ā is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether itā€™s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, weā€™ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us onĀ Twitter/X,Ā Instagram, andĀ LinkedInĀ to keep up with the latest motorsport newsĀ andĀ updates.

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