Max Verstappen of Red Bull won Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix and broke a "mini-slump" of only two wins in his previous 16 races. (Highlights | More Formula 1 News)
It was the Dutch driver's fourth straight victory on the Suzuka circuit in central Japan and breaks the momentum of the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who won the season's first two races in Melbourne, Australia, and Shanghai, China.
The four-time defending Formula 1 champion, Verstappen started from pole position after setting a course-record time in qualifying, which he called "insane." Norris placed second and Piastri was third. The track was dry despite rain earlier in the day to produce an incident-free race.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finished fourth followed by George Russell of Mercedes and teammate Kimi Antonelli in sixth.
"We keep pushing," Verstappen said. "Unbelievable. A great weekend for us."
Norris leads the driver's standings after three races with 62 points to 61 for Verstappen.
The weekend probably turned when Verstappen took the pole on his record last lap Saturday in qualifying.
Sunday' start was clean with Verstappen taking the lead with the top starters on the grid falling into line behind him. Verstappen slowly stretched his lead and was two seconds ahead of Norris after 10 of 53 laps and kept the same advantage after 15.
Most of the leaders pitted around the 20-lap mark. Verstappen and Norris exited the pits at almost exactly the same time with Norris driving over the grass, unable to get by Verstappen.
"He drove himself into the grass," Verstappen said on the radio.
Stewards said almost immediately the incident did not merit further investigation.
Antonelli led briefly in the middle of the race. At 18 he is the youngest to ever lead in F1 race.
Verstappen was back in the lead after 32 laps, only 1.3 seconds ahead of Norris and 3.4 up on Piastri. On the 36th lap the radio told him: "Push from here."
He did just that, pushing all the way to his 64th career win.
Japanese Grand Prix 2025: Full Result
1. Max Verstappen, Red Bull (25pts)
2. Lando Norris, McLaren (18)
3. Oscar Piastri, McLaren (15)
4. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari (12)
5. George Russell, Mercedes (10)
6. Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes (8)
7. Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari (6)
8. Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls (4)
9. Alexander Albon, Williams (2)
10. Oliver Bearman, Haas (1)
11. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
12. Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull
13. Pierre Gasly, Alpine
14. Carlos Sainz, Williams
15. Jack Doohan, Alpine
16. Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
17. Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
18. Esteban Ocon, Haas
19. Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
20. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin
