Motorsport photograph
Pink Bull’s claimed a powerful pole place for the Japanese Grand Prix and went on take his first Formulation 1 victory of the season.
The duo accomplished the rostrum as nearly all of the highest 10 completed in grid order.
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Here is what our group of writers thought straight after the end in Suzuka.
Verstappen will not quit on fifth title
If the weekend in Suzuka confirmed one factor, it is that Verstappen isn’t going to surrender his fifth title with out a battle. If 2025 finally ends up being McLaren’s 12 months, a minimum of the Dutchman will give the Woking duo an excellent run for his or her cash.
Verstappen’s pole lap – as the info exhibits, particularly the ultimate chicane – was some of the spectacular performances of the season to this point.
His response within the press convention to a query suggesting that the Pink Bull automotive is now “the place he desires it to be” was telling. “The place I would like it to be?” repeated Verstappen with a glance of astonishment on his face. It underlines that he is nonetheless not pleased with the RB21, however that did not cease him from beating McLaren and taking his first win of the season. It simply goes to indicate that, even with a troublesome automotive, it is best to by no means write off the reigning world champion…
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– Ronald Vording
McLaren cannot simply run away
Can we nonetheless say that McLaren has the quickest automotive after a race gained by a driver from one other group? In all probability not, however there may be nonetheless sufficient proof to recommend that the papaya group stays the season’s favorite. and have been respiration down Verstappen’s neck all through the race – and doubtlessly may’ve simply pushed away from him had they began in entrance.
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLarenZak Mauger / Motorsport Photographs
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photographs
However the Suzuka race was a reminder you could by no means rely out Verstappen. Even when McLaren does have the benefit, it is not large enough to only ignore the Dutchman – and, whereas he is inside hanging distance, he’ll at all times be a relentless risk.
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– Oleg Karpov
Tsunoda wants extra time within the automotive – however does he have it?
Effectively, it hasn’t been a dream begin for with Pink Bull. He confirmed early indicators of promise – and a minimum of saved the automotive on observe. However his complete weekend was principally wasted in Q2, the place he simply could not put a lap collectively – and did not even beat his Q1 time. And, whereas that means there’s extra potential, it is also necessary to emphasize that Tsunoda wants to begin delivering quickly. You’d must grant him a reduction for the primary weekend – in spite of everything, he needed to familiarise himself with the automotive. However now that he has performed the total race, he wants to begin making use of the teachings.
Yuki Tsunoda, Pink Bull Racing
Yuki Tsunoda, Pink Bull RacingClive Rose / Getty Photographs
Clive Rose / Getty Photographs
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He clearly wants extra time to get used to the RB21’s quirks. However does he actually have a lot?
– Oleg Karpov
Hadjar is not embarrassing in any respect!
Being the second greatest Pink Bull driver within the championship does not appear to be an embarrassing efficiency today, and that is precisely what has managed to this point within the 2025 F1 season.
After exhibiting nice velocity in qualifying in Australia and China, however failing to repeat the feat within the race – with a infamous formation lap crash in Melbourne resulting in Helmut Marko’s notorious quote – the Frenchman had a really strong weekend from begin to end on the at all times demanding Suzuka circuit.
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Hadjar was within the prime 10 in each session and capped it off with a powerful race on Sunday to complete eighth and rating his first F1 factors. Voilà , Helmut!
– Federico Faturos
Doohan is strolling on skinny ice
got here to Suzuka needing a strong weekend after a really early crash in Australia and a few messy races in China, and he failed miserably. His will certainly be pricey for , and likewise for Doohan, whose crash invoice between Melbourne and Suzuka is definitely within the seven-figure vary.
Jack Doohan, Alpine crash
Jack Doohan, Alpine crashBryn Lennon – Formulation 1
Bryn Lennon – Formulation 1
It’s true that he has proven good one-lap tempo within the early rounds, however that won’t be sufficient for Flavio Briatore and Doohan could also be feeling the stress much more now. A visit to Bahrain subsequent weekend, the place he has already pushed the A525 in pre-season testing, may very well be the very best method for Doohan to try to get better. He wants it.
– Federico Faturos
