Verstappen wins first battle of the day against Norris but reports issues after the start

07:14, 06 Apr 2025

Kada Sárközi joined GPblog as an editor ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 season. He graduated with a BA in Sports Journalism in the UK and has covered Grands Prix and other F1 events live.

Max Verstappen had a great start to the Japanese Grand Prix, but has already reported an issue over the team radio.

The Start

Off the line, Verstappen managed to cut across Norris immediately and keep the lead of the Japanese Grand Prix, starting from pole position.

The Briton also had a good start, and remained in P2 and ahead of Oscar Piastri starting from the right, worse side of the grid.

However, after the first laps, the defending world champion reported an issue over the team radio. "My upshifts are again really bad," he first said. He then added: "The upshits are worse in the final sector."

Pos.	Driver	Team	Points
1	Kimi Antonelli Kimi Antonelli	MercedesMER	156
2	Lewis Hamilton Lewis Hamilton	FerrariFER	115
3	George Russell George Russell	MercedesMER	106
4	Charles Leclerc Charles Leclerc	FerrariFER	75
5	Lando Norris Lando Norris	McLarenMCL	73
6	Oscar Piastri Oscar Piastri	McLarenMCL	70
7	Max Verstappen Max Verstappen	Red Bull RacingRBR	55
8	Isack Hadjar Isack Hadjar	Red Bull RacingRBR	37
9	Pierre Gasly Pierre Gasly	AlpineALP	32
10	Liam Lawson Liam Lawson	Racing BullsRCB	28
11	Franco Colapinto Franco Colapinto	AlpineALP	19
12	Oliver Bearman Oliver Bearman	HaasHAA	18
13	Arvid Lindblad Arvid Lindblad	Racing BullsRCB	14
14	Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz	WilliamsWIL	6
15	Alexander Albon Alexander Albon	WilliamsWIL	5
16	Esteban Ocon Esteban Ocon	HaasHAA	3
17	Gabriel Bortoleto Gabriel Bortoleto	AudiAUD	2
18	Fernando Alonso Fernando Alonso	Aston MartinAST	1
19	Nico Hulkenberg Nico Hulkenberg	AudiAUD	0
20	Valtteri Bottas Valtteri Bottas	CadillacCAD	0
21	Sergio Perez Sergio Perez	CadillacCAD	0
22	Lance Stroll Lance Stroll	Aston MartinAST	0

Verstappen wins first battle of the day against Norris but reports issues after the start

The Start

Read also

Don’t miss GPblog in Google

Tsunoda throws caution to wind: 'I'm just gonna push flat out'

Horner knows winning in Japan's not likely: 'Difficult to cover both McLarens'

Ferrari handed clear message over Hamilton and Leclerc after Villeneuve advice

Russell slammed by ex-Williams driver over “excuses” as title ambitions come under fire

Alex Marquez cleared to take part in Czech GP just weeks after neck-breaking crash

McLaren confirms another upgrade package for Norris and Piastri

Verstappen gets first look at much-discussed Red Bull update

Peace between the US and Iran brings the F1 finale closer, but this circuit is on standby

Antonelli’s pace leap leaves former Mercedes driver impressed amid title charge

Jos Verstappen fires back at Schumacher over 'wrong Information' on Max Mercedes talks

Ferrari handed clear message over Hamilton and Leclerc after Villeneuve advice

Russell slammed by ex-Williams driver over “excuses” as title ambitions come under fire

Alex Marquez cleared to take part in Czech GP just weeks after neck-breaking crash

McLaren confirms another upgrade package for Norris and Piastri

Popular on GPBlog

Wolff accused of 'intentionally lowballing' Verstappen in Mercedes contract approach

Jos Verstappen fires back at Schumacher over 'wrong Information' on Max Mercedes talks

F1 LIVE | Hamilton backed for eighth title, Wolff accused of lowballing Verstappen

Verstappen gets first look at much-discussed Red Bull update

Season

Tsunoda throws caution to wind: 'I'm just gonna push flat out'

Horner knows winning in Japan's not likely: 'Difficult to cover both McLarens'