F1 2025 driver standings: Max Verstappen reignites F1 championship fight after intense on-track duel with Lando Norris at Suzuka

Max Verstappen conquered the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix to win his first victory of the year, cutting the championship lead dominance of returning title defender Lando Norris by a wide margin. The Red Bull racer, who claimed the pole position after a miraculous qualifying session, was able to hold off McLaren’s Lando Norris and his dominant charge in a nail-biting finish at Suzuka.

F1 2025 driver standings post Japanese GP

Following the Japanese GP race in Suzuka, the Formula 1 drivers' championship positions had Lando Norris perilously holding on to the top spot with 62 points—one point ahead of Max Verstappen's 61. Oscar Piastri occupies third place with 49 points, George Russell is at 45 and Andrea Kimi Antonelli has 30 points.

Here are the top 5 F1 driver standings after the Japanese GP 2025:

• Lando Norris – 62 pts
  
• Max Verstappen – 61 pts
  
• Oscar Piastri – 49 pts
  
• George Russell – 45 pts
  
• Andrea Kimi Antonelli – 30 pts
  

Max Verstappen takes authoritative win at Japanese Grand Prix

Bringing in the points 🔥

Here's your top ten from today's Japanese Grand Prix 🇯🇵#F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/PEBox1K0kc

— Formula 1 (@F1) April 6, 2025

Lando Norris, who has been in superb form at the beginning of the season, arrived in Japan with the title lead. With McLaren having won the first two rounds—one each for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri—the British team had the upper hand early on. But Max Verstappen fought back, employing a perfect strategy and unshakeable calm to remind the paddock.

The highlight of the day was at the pit stops, when Lando Norris and Max Verstappen emerged from the pit lane side-by-side. The McLaren driver was forced onto the grass on the inside and lodged a loud complaint on team radio straight away. But race stewards reviewed the incident and deemed it not worthy of further action, enabling Max Verstappen to carry on leading and ultimately claim victory.

F1 2025 constructor standings

In the war of the constructors, McLaren keeps leading the charge with 111 points. Mercedes is third behind at 75, with Red Bull Racing coming up third after Verstappen's revival to 61 points. Ferrari, Williams, and Haas take up the midfield positions while Alpine are still on zero after four races.

Here are the top 5 F1 constructor standings after the Japanese GP 2025:

• McLaren – 111 pts
  
• Mercedes – 75 pts
  
• Red Bull Racing – 61 pts
  
• Ferrari – 35 pts
  
• Williams – 19 pts
  

Also read: Max Verstappen wins Japanese Grand Prix 2025, his first victory of the season

As the F1 circuit makes its way to Bahrain for the next round of the season, the championship battle between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris is heating up into what is potentially one of the most closely fought championships in recent years. With the two drivers separated by just a single point and McLaren and Red Bull Racing both in evidence, the 2025 season is already building towards an instant classic.