Max Verstappen silences doubts with flawless drive at Japan GP

The Dutchman’s win marked his fourth consecutive triumph at the Japanese Grand Prix and moved him to within a single point of championship leader Norris.

"That was one of Max's best weekends,” said team principal Christian Horner, via Sky Sports. “Without any debate, he is the best driver in the world currently. The hard work was done [in qualifying] but he was inch perfect in the race.

"We worked hard to give him a car he was able to extract the most out of and he drove the wheels off it, he was stunning. He nailed the last chicane and that was enough.”

Behind Verstappen, McLaren continued to demonstrate its 2025 credentials. Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri finished second and third, respectively, underlining the team’s consistency and technical strength. Norris’s second-place finish keeps him just ahead in the drivers’ standings with 62 points, narrowly leading Verstappen on 61.

The weekend also showcased the rise of young talent in Formula 1. Mercedes’ teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli briefly led the race during pit stop rotations and even posted the fastest lap, eventually finishing sixth.

The 18-year-old became the first driver to score points in their first three races since Lewis Hamilton in 2007, the driver he replaced at Mercedes. His performance signaled that the sport’s next generation is closing in fast.

In the constructors’ standings, McLaren retained its lead with 111 points, while Mercedes held second with 75. Red Bull, boosted by Verstappen’s win, climbed to third with 61 and look poised to re-enter both title fights.

The 2025 season promises to be among the most competitive in recent memory. Verstappen’s statement victory at Suzuka doesn’t just close the gap—it reshapes the narrative. The four-time champion is far from ready to relinquish his crown, and with Bahrain up next, the battle is only just beginning.