Japanese Grand Prix 2025 — Weekend Preview

Round 3 of the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship takes the field to Suzuka, Japan. Japanese Grand Prix — The Driver's Circuit. Lando Norris leads the championship with 43 points, 13 points ahead of Max Verstappen.

Driver Championship (entering R3):
P1: Lando Norris — 43 pts (1W, 2P)
P2: Max Verstappen — 30 pts (0W, 1P)
P3: George Russell — 30 pts (0W, 2P)
P4: Oscar Piastri — 27 pts (1W, 1P)
P5: Kimi Antonelli — 20 pts (0W, 0P)

Constructor Championship:
P1: McLaren — 70 pts
P2: Mercedes — 50 pts
P3: Red Bull Racing — 30 pts
P4: Williams — 17 pts
P5: Haas F1 Team — 14 pts

Suzuka is technically demanding, steeped in motorsport history.

Recent winners at Suzuka:
- 2026: Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- 2025: Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
- 2024: Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
- 2023: Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
- 2022: Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)

Tyre strategy data will be available after practice sessions provide degradation information.

Battles to watch:

Championship battle: Lando Norris vs Max Verstappen — 13 points separate them.

P3 vs P4: George Russell (30) vs Oscar Piastri (27) — just 3 points apart.
P4 vs P5: Oscar Piastri (27) vs Kimi Antonelli (20) — just 7 points apart.
P5 vs P6: Kimi Antonelli (20) vs Alexander Albon (16) — just 4 points apart.

Understand this race better:

- [Aero Balance](/f1/learning/tactical-intelligence/aero-balance)
- [Downforce](/f1/learning/tactical-intelligence/downforce)