Suzuka returns as F1 hits round three. Here’s everything you need — times, track tips, team form, and rising storylines.
The Start of a Thrilling Triple-Header
The 2025 Formula 1 season is heating up fast. After a double-header in Australia and Shanghai, the paddock heads to Suzuka for round three — the iconic Japanese Grand Prix. Though it falls on the same weekend as last year, this time it’s the opening race of the season’s first triple-header, with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia coming up next.
That means teams are eager to build momentum — especially with long travel and back-to-back weekends ahead.
This race will also mark a farewell of sorts. It’s the final time Red Bull and Racing Bulls will race at Suzuka with Honda. To mark the occasion, Red Bull is going all-in with a special livery for Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda. Max is even debuting a clean, all-white helmet — expect a striking look on track.
Track Preview: Suzuka Circuit
Suzuka is a legend among circuits. Hosting F1 since 1987, it’s one of the few tracks that challenges both car and driver across its entire 5.8 km layout. The famous “Esses,” the blisteringly fast 130R, and the narrow Degner curves make Suzuka a real test of precision, rhythm, and bravery.
Drivers will complete 53 laps on race day — expect fatigue, strategy gambles, and maybe a little chaos if Japan’s famously unpredictable weather joins the mix.
Here’s a breakdown of the most iconic sections:
Turns 1 & 2: Fast entry, light braking — setting up for the twisty action to follow.
Turns 3–6 (“Esses”): Rapid left-right-left combinations — requires perfect balance and minimal understeer.
Degner (Turns 8 & 9): Tight and tricky. Touch the inside curb too much and you’re in trouble. Little room for error.
Turn 11 (Hairpin): Heavy braking, off-camber exit — traction is everything.
Spoon (Turns 13 & 14): Understeer kills exit speed here, and that exit leads straight into one of the fastest stretches of the circuit.
130R (Turn 15): Full throttle at over 300 km/h. A fan favorite — and a driver’s adrenaline rush.
Turn 16 (Chicane): Final stop before the pit straight. Easy to lock up and throw away a good lap here.
Who’s Looking Strong?
After winning at Suzuka in both 2023 and 2024, McLaren enters as the clear favorite — especially off the back of a dominant 1-2 finish in China.
But don’t count out the usual suspects:
- Ferrari is desperate to bounce back after a messy start (strategy issues in Melbourne, double DQ in Shanghai).
- Mercedes looks solid and consistent — possibly the closest challenger to McLaren right now.
- Red Bull has the talent and pedigree, but the RB21 seems temperamental on tire wear. Verstappen should be in the mix, but all eyes will be on Yuki Tsunoda, who replaces Liam Lawson for his first race in the car — and on home soil, no less.
Further down the grid:
- Williams is punching above its weight, with 17 points in two races.
- Racing Bulls have pace, but costly strategy errors need fixing.
- Haas is on the upswing.
- Alpine, Aston Martin, and Sauber are all looking to climb out of the midfield mud.
Japanese Grand Prix – Full Weekend Schedule
| Date | Session | Local time (Japan) | London Time (BST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, April 4th | Free Practice 1 (FP1) | 11:30 – 12:30 | 03:30 – 04:30 |
| Free Practice 2 (FP2) | 15:00 – 16:00 | 07:00 – 08:00 | |
| Saturday, April 5th | Free Practice 3 (FP3) | 11:30 – 12:30 | 03:30 – 04:30 |
| Qualifications | 15:00 – 16:00 | 07:00 – 08:00 | |
| Sunday, April 6 | Race | 15:00 – 17:00 | 07:00 – 09:00 |
Set your alarms — or prep the coffee — because watching F1 in Japan means early mornings in Europe!
Past Winners of the Japanese GP
| Year | Circuit | Winner | Team | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Suzuka | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | Honda |
| 2023 | Suzuka | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | Honda |
| 2022 | Suzuka | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | Honda |
| 2019 | Suzuka | Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes | Mercedes |
| 2018 | Suzuka | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | Mercedes |
| 2017 | Suzuka | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | Mercedes |
| 2016 | Suzuka | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes | Mercedes |
| 2015 | Suzuka | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | Mercedes |
| 2014 | Suzuka | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | Mercedes |
| 2013 | Suzuka | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull | Renault |
| 2012 | Suzuka | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull | Renault |
| 2011 | Suzuka | Jenson Button | McLaren | Mercedes |
| 2010 | Suzuka | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull | Renault |
| 2009 | Suzuka | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull | Renault |
| 2008 | Fuji | Fernando Alonso | Renault | Renault |
| 2007 | Fuji | Lewis Hamilton | McLaren | Mercedes |
| 2006 | Suzuka | Fernando Alonso | Renault | Renault |
| 2005 | Suzuka | Kimi Räikkönen | McLaren | Mercedes |
| 2004 | Suzuka | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 2003 | Suzuka | Rubens Barrichello | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 2002 | Suzuka | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 2001 | Suzuka | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 2000 | Suzuka | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 1999 | Suzuka | Mika Häkkinen | McLaren | Mercedes |
| 1998 | Suzuka | Mika Häkkinen | McLaren | Mercedes |
| 1997 | Suzuka | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 1996 | Suzuka | Damon Hill | Williams | Renault |
| 1995 | Suzuka | Michael Schumacher | Benetton | Renault |
| 1994 | Suzuka | Damon Hill | Williams | Renault |
| 1993 | Suzuka | Ayrton Senna | McLaren | Ford |
| 1992 | Suzuka | Riccardo Patrese | Williams | Renault |
| 1991 | Suzuka | Gerhard Berger | McLaren | Honda |
| 1990 | Suzuka | Nelson Piquet | Benetton | Ford |
| 1989 | Suzuka | Alessandro Nannini | Benetton | Ford |
| 1988 | Suzuka | Ayrton Senna | McLaren | Honda |
| 1987 | Suzuka | Gerhard Berger | Ferrari | Ferrari |
| 1977 | Fuji | James Hunt | McLaren | Ford |
| 1976 | Fuji | Mario Andretti | Lotus | Ford |
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Japan GP 2025: Schedule, Circuit & Ones to Watch
Japan GP 2025: Schedule, Circuit & Ones to Watch
