After a week’s break, Formula One action is back as the grid heads to Japan for the first race of this season’s first triple-header. Reigning Constructors’ champions McLaren have started the season with back-to-back wins and are favourites for this race as well.
Ahead of the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix, here are our preview and predictions.
Red Bull started the 2025 season with a new look as Max Verstappen found a new partner in Liam Lawson. The young Kiwi was promoted after impressive drives with VCARB last year, having replaced Daniel Ricciardo mid-season.
Lawson’s start to his Red Bull career ended up being a nightmare, however. A DNF and a P12 finish dashed Red Bull’s Constructors’ hopes early on, with the Austrian team having to rely solely on Verstappen for points. In typical fashion, Red Bull axed Lawson after two races, demoting him back to VCARB, while Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda has been promoted to partner the Dutchman and is set to make his Red Bull debut at home.
Red Bull know how important each point is in the Constructors’ and have taken a drastic step early on knowing they aren’t the favourites for the title this year. While both McLaren and Ferrari have faster cars than them, don’t count out Verstappen and his new partner to deliver the goods at Suzuka.
Ferrari didn’t have an ideal Sunday in China, especially after Lewis Hamilton’s Sprint win. Their drivers qualified beside each other on the third row and managed to finish there itself behind the McLaren and Mercedes drivers. Finishing fifth and sixth meant Ferrari got a decent haul of points (18), which would have helped their Constructors’ charge, but post-race technical checks led to both their drivers being disqualified.
Charles Leclerc’s car was found underweight, while Hamilton’s car had “excessive plank wear”, leaving Ferrari red-faced, as they should have been able to manage both issues.
The Scuderia have shown pace this season. While their single-lap pace may not be as strong as McLaren’s, their strong race pace shall put them in the mix every weekend. Expect the Prancing Horse to bounce back strongly in Japan, with Hamilton having a chance to tie the record for the most number of Japanese GP wins, which currently belongs to Michael Schumacher (6). Hamilton last won here in 2018.
Pole prediction: Lando Norris / Lewis Hamilton
Race winners prediction: McLaren / Ferrari
After spending a long time at the back of the field, Haas have shaken things up internally and externally. Changes in management, a new driver lineup, and a big boost from a strong Ferrari engine have made the American team look like they may finally be ready to move up the grid.
Haas have started the season strongly, showing good race pace and lingering around the top ten, just outside the points. Their perseverance paid off at the Chinese Grand Prix as multiple disqualifications saw them pick up 14 points. Now, they are sixth in the Constructors’ table, three points off Ferrari.
Haas may not be able to compete with the likes of Williams and Aston Martin on a regular basis, but count on them to hold their own in the midfield and have a strong Sunday in Japan.
Dark horses for a big points haul: Williams / Haas
Circuit: Suzuka International Racing Course
Venue: Suzuka, Mie Prefecture, Japan
Practice Session 1 time: 08:00, April 4, 2025
Practice Session 2 time: 11:30, April 4, 2025
Practice Session 3 time: 08:00, April 5, 2025
Qualifying time: 11:30, April 5, 2025
Main race time: 10:30, April 6, 2025
Where to watch: F1 TV Pro / FanCode
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