Verstappen takes controlled victory in Japan amidst turbulence at Red Bull
Max Verstappen won the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix, aided by a superb qualifying, to join an elite group of four drivers in Formula One history to win a race in 10 different seasons. Verstappen moves within a point of Lando Norris at the top of the standings, whilst also establishing a record-breaking four-year winning streak at Suzuka circuit.
Verstappen’s drive, in a special all-white livery, meant that Red Bull’s last Japanese Grand Prix in partnership with engine manufacturer Honda was victorious.
The Dutchman’s excellence arrives after recent commotion at Red Bull following teammate Liam Lawson being dropped to sister team Racing Bulls, after only two races, and Yuki Tsunoda’s promotion to the coveted Red Bull second seat.
In 2024, Verstappen clinched his fourth World Championship while Red Bull lost the Constructors’ Championship (finishing third) after a season of underperformances from second driver Sergio Perez, who was released over the winter.
Red Bull then chose to promote Lawson to partner Verstappen after a minor spell of 11 races with RB. The New Zealander impressed bosses and was initially chosen over Tsunoda, who had comparatively endured four years with the sister team.
In the opening double-header of 2025, the RB21 looked to have inherited similar fundamental problems as the previous edition and Verstappen was quick to stress the significance of these issues. Despite these troubles, the four-time champion hustled his car to compete with the imperious McLarens and achieved second-place in Australia and third in the sprint race in China.
On the other side of the garage, Lawson suffered a horrendous start to 2025: crashing during punishing wet-weather conditions in Australia and a double pit-lane start after qualifying the slowest in both sprint and Grand Prix sessions in Shanghai.
Tsunoda’s contrasting start with the better performing VCARB 02 earned him advancement to Red Bull for his home race in Japan. Tsunoda is the next driver in the conveyor belt to become Verstappen’s teammate and aims not to repeat the misfortunes suffered by the likes of Alex Albon and Pierre Gasly.
During qualifying in Japan, Tsunoda was knocked out in Q2 – qualifying one place behind Lawson in fourteenth, who readjusted well to life in RB. Verstappen, meanwhile, comfortably made it through to Q3 and set the fastest lap in Suzuka’s F1 history to romp to pole position.
At the start, Verstappen jumped the McLaren pair and executed a perfect drive, despite a pit-lane tussle with Norris, to claim victory in a lacklustre race. Tsunoda battled past Lawson in the opening lap before progressing on to finish an underwhelming twelfth, whereas the Kiwi finished even lower in seventeenth after another problematic RB strategy.
Verstappen has proven that he should not be counted out – even with a troublesome car, which Red Bull is eager to improve. After witnessing Red Bull’s strict handling of Lawson, Tsunoda will look to better his results soon, with Lawson now seeking a senior team return. Next weekend in Bahrain will be the ideal opportunity to perform.
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