06:51
Hamilton pits
After a lock-up into the final chicane, Hamilton pits for medium tyres. He rejoins in seventh. There's 9.4s to make up on. Russell.
Max Verstappen leads the Japanese Grand Prix
2025 F1 Japanese Grand Prix - Race Day - as it happened
Recap race day at the Japanese Grand Prix
The third race of the 2025 F1 season is here at the legendary Suzuka circuit.
Max Verstappen delivered a masterclass in qualifying to beat the two McLarens as he claimed pole position.
Lando Norris will start the race from second on the grid, with McLaren still fancying their chances of the win, given their superior car performance.
Oscar Piastri is third on the grid and knows he will need to get ahead of his teammate on Lap 1.
- The Japanese Grand Prix gets underway at 6am UK time
- How to watch 2025 F1 Japanese Grand Prix: Live stream for free
06 Apr 2025
06:49
The order on Lap 30
Antonelli, Hamilton, Verstappen, Norris, Piastri, Leclerc, Russell, Lawson, Sainz and Hadjar.
06:49
Norris is upping his pace
1.9s between Verstappen and Norris.
06:46
Battle for the win
There's 2.3s between Verstappen and Norris. They are running behind Antonelli and Hamilton, who have yet to stop.
06:43
Update from the FIA
Sensible. No further investigation for the Verstappen-Norris incident.
06:43
News from the stewards
The stewards have "noted" the pit lane incident between Verstappen and Norris.
06:42
The order on Lap 25
Antonelli, Hamilton, Hadjar, Verstappen, Norris, Piastri, Leclerc, Russell, Lawson and Sainz.
06:39
Norris
Looks like Verstappen did nothing wrong. He kept his line and Norris drove onto the grass.
06:38
A bit of drama in the pits
Verstappen and Norris leave the pit lane side-by-side. Norris runs on the grass and loses out.
06:37
More pit stops
Verstappen, Norris and Leclerc all come into the pits.
06:35
McLaren stop Piastri
Another pit stop - it's Piastri who comes in for hard tyres. He rejoins in ninth ahead of Alonso.
06:34
Russell pits
Russell is the first driver in the top 10 to come into the pit lane. He rejoins in 13th behind Tsunoda.
06:33
McLaren tease a pit stop
1.5s between the top two as McLaren tells Norris to "box to overtake". He doesn't pit after they tell him to "stay out".
06:31
Norris on a charge
He's reduced Verstappen's lead to 1.6s on Lap 18. Pushing before a pit stop?
06:29
The gap at the front
The gap between Verstappen and Norris is remaining stable at around 2.0s.
06:28
The opening lap at Suzuka
Start of the Japanese Grand Prix
06:25
The battle at the front
There's 1.8s between Verstappen and Norris at the front. Piastri is running 1.2s behind his teammate.
Leclerc has dropped off a bit now - 2.3s behind the second McLaren driver.
06:22
The order on Lap 12
Verstappen, Norris, Piastri, Leclerc, Russell, Antonelli, Hamilton, Hadjar, Albon and Bearman.
06:20
Russell
Russell has upped his pace and is running 0.7s behind Leclerc in the race for fourth.
No chance of getting close enough with the use of DRS just yet, however.
06:17
Tsunoda
The Red Bull driver is currently running in 13th after getting ahead of Lawson on Lap 1. He's in DRS range of Gasly ahead.
06:14
The order on Lap 7
Verstappen, Norris, Piastri, Leclerc, Russell, Antonelli, Hamilton, Hadjar, Albon and Bearman.
06:12
Hamilton on the move
Hamilton uses DRS to get past Hadjar into Turn 1 for seventh.
06:11
The battle at the front
Verstappen is running 1.4s ahead of Norris at the front, while Piastri is in DRS range of his teammate.
Leclerc also has Russell for close company - 0.7s between those two.
06:08
Antonelli
Replays show Antonelli cutting across the final chicane on Lap 2. He keeps sixth ahead of Hadjar.
06:06
Lap 2/53
No changes in the top 10 in terms of the order with Verstappen ahead of Norris, Piastri, Leclerc and Russell.
Hamilton is still eighth on the hards.
