It’s secure to say the 2025 F1 Japanese Grand Prix is not going to dwell lengthy within the reminiscence.
The usually-epic occasion round Suzuka’s high-speed rollercoaster of a observe didn’t dwell as much as the hype following an thrilling and extremely aggressive qualifying session.
Listed below are our winners and losers from Sunday’s 53-lap snooze fest.
Winner – Max Verstappen
We’re beginning to run out of superlatives to explain Max Verstappen’s performances.
Having claimed a shock pole place with a shocking lap in qualifying, Verstappen turned in a masterclass drive on Sunday to safe his first victory of the 2025 season.
The four-time world champion needed to defy a race-long problem from the McLaren pair of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, however didn’t put a foot flawed as he dragged his RB21 to a massively spectacular win.
Verstappen retains exhibiting why he’s the very best in F1
Loser – F1 followers
It was hardly a traditional at Suzuka and arguably the largest losers had been the followers.
It seemed as if an incredible race could possibly be on the playing cards primarily based on how the grid lined up, however Sunday’s grand prix ended up being a processional and boring affair. Drivers solely wanted to make a single pit cease in a race by which qualifying place finally proved king, with working in clear air proving a large benefit.
With only one place change within the high 10, courtesy of Lewis Hamilton’s pretty routine, DRS-assisted overtake on Isack Hadjar into Flip 1 on Lap 6, there was barely any on-track motion for the followers to savour.
What’s extra, some poor TV path meant that the primary speaking level of the race was partly missed as Norris went garden mowing on the grass after a squabble with Verstappen for place as they exited the pits.
Winner – Kimi Antonelli
Mercedes might haven’t had the very best day as they lacked the tempo to combat for a 3rd successive podium, however Kimi Antonelli was the shining gentle for the crew.
Antonelli ran impressively lengthy within the opening stint and managed to make his medium tyres last more than every other driver, together with Hamilton on hards. This noticed him set a brand new document for changing into F1’s youngest-ever race chief.
The 18-year-old Italian emerged on observe only a second forward of Hamilton’s Ferrari after making his one and solely cease however stored a cool head to remain forward, earlier than easing away from his substitute and looking down teammate George Russell.
Antonelli shone for Mercedes in simply his third F1 race
Loser – McLaren
A missed alternative for McLaren, who can be rueing a magic qualifying lap from Verstappen which prevented a front-row lockout. McLaren would have been favourites for an additional 1-2 had they not been pipped by Verstappen – primarily based on how Sunday’s race performed out.
Their secure technique selections, and refusal to swap their drivers to let Piastri put Verstappen underneath some strain, meant they settled with a 2-3 end. A fantastic factors haul which strengthens their grip on the high of the constructors’ championship, however that is race McLaren actually ought to have received.
In the event that they wish to win each titles this yr, they will’t afford to open the door to Verstappen like they did at Suzuka.
Winner – Isack Hadjar
All of the discuss heading to Japan centred round Purple Bull’s newest driver swap and their resolution to advertise Yuki Tsunoda from Racing Bulls.
However whereas Tsunoda considerably faltered on his Purple Bull debut, Hadjar continued his wonderful begin to his rookie F1 season by bagging extra factors with a robust P8 on his first go to to Suzuka.
Hadjar battled by way of ache and discomfort to outpace his hero Hamilton in qualifying, earlier than delivering a superb efficiency in Sunday’s grand prix. Other than Verstappen, Hadjar was the star Purple Bull driver this weekend.
Loser – Ferrari
Simply what’s going on with Ferrari? For the third consecutive race, the Italian crew seemed all at sea and had been properly adrift of the likes of McLaren, Mercedes and Verstappen’s Purple Bull.
Charles Leclerc at the least salvaged a stable P4, largely due to an incredible qualifying lap, however he and teammate Hamilton each struggled in a automotive that’s underperforming and never being run to its full potential.
Submit-race, Hamilton confirmed the crew is working to repair an underlying situation with the automotive.
If they can’t get on high of their issues quickly, Ferrari might properly have to chop their losses in 2025 and begin desirous about subsequent yr.
Hamilton’s go on Hadjar was the one change of place within the top-10
Winner – Alex Albon
It was a story of contrasting fortunes for Williams, however due to Alex Albon’s excellent qualifying effort and a well-executed race, they arrive away from Japan with but extra factors.
Regardless of some intense radio messages along with his crew throughout Sunday’s grand prix amid frustration with how his automotive was shifting by way of its gearbox, Albon added two extra factors to Williams’ early 2025 tally in ninth.
Albon as soon as once more obtained the higher of latest teammate Carlos Sainz, who may solely end 14th.
Loser – Yuki Tsunoda
Tsunoda’s Purple Bull debut didn’t go to plan regardless of making an encouragingly quick begin to the weekend on Friday.
A poor qualifying and Q2 exit was finally accountable for Tsunoda’s failure to attain factors as he needed to settle with a disappointing twelfth on residence soil, whereas Verstappen took his Purple Bull to the highest step of the rostrum.
Purple Bull nonetheless haven’t scored some extent with their second automotive in 2025 however Tsunoda did at the least present some flashes of promise that he could also be higher suited to the RB21 than his predecessor.
It wasn’t a memorable Purple Bull debut for Tsunoda
Winner – Ollie Bearman
F1 rookie Ollie Bearman backed up his starring show in qualifying to deliver residence some extent for Haas, who gambled on introducing a fast-tracked improve in Japan.
Bearman comprehensively outperformed his extra skilled teammate Esteban Ocon all weekend because the Frenchman struggled to a lowly 18th.
Loser – Liam Lawson
Even when Tsunoda didn’t have the very best of weekends, Purple Bull’s brutal resolution to axe Liam Lawson appears to be like considerably justified.
Lawson was dumped out within the second a part of qualifying (although he did beat Tsunoda’s Purple Bull within the course of) and finally slumped to seventeenth within the race after a technique gamble didn’t repay.
The 23-year-old Kiwi was within the shadow of his youthful, inexperienced Racing Bulls teammate regardless of being on the first F1 circuit this yr he has beforehand pushed.
