Verstappen holds off McLarens to claim first win of the year

And finally the long-awaited battle between Max Verstappen and McLaren did not take place. Starting from pole position, the Dutchman managed his takeoff perfectly, resisting both Lando Norris et Oscar piastri behind him.

One might have thought that the four-time world champion would have to work hard to resist the Oranges. But to everyone's surprise, his RB21 displayed very good pace during the 53 laps of this Japanese Grand Prix, to the point of never really being troubled by Lando Norris on the track despite his proximity, as the Englishman always maintained a gap of 2 seconds at most.

The only animosity between the two drivers occurred at the end of the 20th lap of the race when they decided to stop at the same time. Norris took the opportunity to get closer to Verstappen while the latter's stop was a little longer than expected. They thus went out side by side and while he tried to surprise him, Norris made a small passage on the grass, pretending that the Dutchman had pushed him. In vain since the race control did not follow up on McLaren's protests.

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Drama in the pit lane as Verstappen and Norris exit side by side jostling for the race lead!#F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/TmdkvM1tuW

— Formula 1 (@F1) April 6, 2025

After this "incident" Max Verstappen regained his pace and practically the same lead over Lando Norris. If the latter seemed to be getting closer to him at the end of the race, the driver Red Bull was able to take advantage of his opponents' radio exchanges to give himself some breathing space. Indeed, Oscar Piastri suggested for a long time, without saying so directly, that they swap positions, believing he had more pace than his teammate in order to intimidate the Dutchman. But after many back-and-forths, no instructions were given. Piastri often got closer but never close enough to attack his garage neighbor, thus securing 2nd and 3rd places. Charles Leclerc and George Russell completed the Top 5.

This allowed Max Verstappen to take his first victory of the year, his first since Qatar in early December and, more importantly, his 64th career victory. This move brought him back to within a single point of Lando Norris in the championship (62 to 61).

On the French side, the good news of the day came from Isack Hadjar. Weighed down by strategy two weeks ago in China, the Racing Bulls driver was this time able to take advantage of his 7th place on the grid to aim for his first career points. Mission accomplished! Although he was unable to do anything when Lewis Hamilton attacked him at the start of the race, the Parisian then put in a very solid performance to take the checkered flag in 8th position, making him the "best of the others" to leave with 4 points. Alex Albon and Oliver Bearman followed him into the Top 10.

Disillusionment for Pierre Gasly et Esteban OconA little further down the grid, the Normans were unable to move up, settling for 13th and 18th places respectively.

The next meeting is scheduled for next weekend with the Bahrain Grand Prix (April 11-13).

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