F1 champion Max Verstappen takes cheeky Lando Norris swipe after Japanese Grand Prix victory

Max Verstappen

Verstappen takes cheeky Norris swipe after Japanese GP victory

Max Verstappen beat Norris to take victory in Suzuka

Sam Cook Digital Journalist

Sports Journalist who has been covering motorsport since 2023

Monday 7 April 2025 11:54

Reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen has suggested that he would have done an even better job at the Japanese Grand Prix, had he have been driving Lando Norris' McLaren car.

Verstappen managed to secure his first race victory of the season, keeping both Norris and his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri behind come the chequered flag.

The Dutchman's first pole position in main race qualifying since the 2024 Austrian GP proved to be the difference in the end, as he utilised free air to save his tyres and keep the McLarens at bay.

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Now, four-time champion Verstappen has suggested that he would have been over the hills and far away at Suzuka had he have been driving a McLaren.

"When I came here, I didn't expect to win here - and after Friday, not at all," Verstappen told Viaplay after the race. "Starting on pole was the most important thing this weekend. McLaren was faster I think, but they couldn't get into the DRS to make a move.

"I'm very happy with what I'm doing. I don't even want to think about if I'd been in that other car [McLaren]. Then you wouldn't have seen me."

Verstappen highlights championship credentials

The early part of the season had suggested that Verstappen would struggle in 2025 to keep hold of his drivers' championship crown for a fifth consecutive year.

However, despite clearly having a significant pace disadvantage to McLaren and Mercedes, the Dutchman is still only one point from the top of the drivers' standings, a position that Norris currently holds.

Consistent results punctuated by this stunning victory has meant that he is in prime position to retain his crown, as long as Red Bull can make improvements to his RB21.

Verstappen's team-mate Yuki Tsunoda qualified 15th and finished the race down in 12th, highlighting how difficult the Red Bull is to drive, and what a phenomenal job he is doing to put his car towards the front of the grid.

"This was a great result, but it was difficult to overtake and qualifying was very important here," Verstappen continued in his post-race interview. "This does not mean that everything is now suddenly hosanna and that we are going to win all the races, but we can be very happy with this."

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Max Verstappen McLaren Lando Norris Oscar Piastri Japanese Grand Prix Suzuka