Max Verstappen (left) celebrates at the awards ceremony. © APA/afp / PHILIP FONG

“Verstappen is a monster”

Max Verstappen had an absolute dream weekend in Japan. After securing pole position, he also secured victory in Suzuka on Sunday – and is rightly being praised to the skies by the international press.

06 April 2025

From: apa/dpa

Telegraph: "Max Verstappen won the Japanese Grand Prix from pole position to move within one point of Lando Norris at the top of the drivers' standings, while the top six finished in Suzuka exactly as they had started."

Daily Mail"That was a masterpiece from Max. He showed no nerves after starting from the front. Tunnel vision all the way to the finish line. He didn't make a single mistake in his victory at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday. With his first win of the 2025 season, he moves between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in the drivers' standings."

Independent: "Max Verstappen wins the Japanese Grand Prix after a pit-lane battle with Lando Norris. Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive victory at Suzuka by fending off a late McLaren charge."

Verstappen tamed his Red Bull with all his skill. © ANSA / FRANCK ROBICHON

The Sun: "Max Verstappen returned to his rightful place and took his first victory of the season in Japan. The Red Bull driver beat Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, as he did in qualifying, to win his fourth consecutive Japanese Grand Prix – the first driver in history to do so at Suzuka."

“Gazzetta dello Sport”: "No one is like Max. The Dutch world champion wins the Japanese GP, a success that builds on Saturday's exceptional pole position and is perhaps more than just a victory, in which he managed to fend off the cautious attacks of the two McLarens thanks to his usual phenomenal tire management."

“Tuttosport”: "Super Verstappen, Ferrari not on the podium in Japan: Leclerc 4th and Hamilton 7th. The world champion took his fourth consecutive victory in Suzuka."

“La Republic”: "Maranello is still without a podium finish, but Max is the champion in Suzuka. McLaren doesn't win, but opens a gap in the Constructors' Championship, and Kimi breaks a record."

Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri (from left to right). © APA/afp / TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA

“Sports World”: "Max Verstappen showed Lando Norris who the champion is in Japan and once again gave him a masterful lesson in how to win a race and how much the Englishman still has to learn and improve to catch up with Max."

"Brand": "Verstappen is a monster... He may not have had the best car on a single lap or in race pace, but he was able to overpower the much faster McLaren in every way."

"Sports": "Max Verstappen withstood the pressure from McLaren at Suzuka to win the Japanese GP for the fourth time in a row. His incredible pole position on Saturday, when he pushed the limits of the Japanese track, was key to his victory over Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who shared the podium with him."

“The Team”: "Max Verstappen, who started from pole position, held off the two McLarens to lead his Red Bull to its fourth consecutive victory at the Japanese Grand Prix. He beat Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, in that order. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls), who finished eighth, scored his first points."

The Red Bull followed by the two McLarens. © APA/afp / PHILIP FONG

“The South-West”: "Four-time world champion Max Verstappen (Red Bull) won the Japanese Grand Prix, the third race of the Formula 1 season, on Sunday at the Suzuka circuit without a moment's hesitation. Starting from pole position, the Dutchman dominated the two McLarens of Briton Lando Norris and Australian Oscar Piastri, ultimately beating them by 1,4 and 2,1 seconds, respectively."

“Small Newspaper”: "In a Grand Prix in Japan that lacked suspense, a scene between winner Max Verstappen and second-placed Lando Norris caused a stir during the race. After the only pit stop, the two came dangerously close to each other at the end of the pit lane. The Dutchman had the edge and held his position, while Norris refused to give in and ended up in the grass."

Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton are still waiting for their first podium finish. © APA/afp / SHUJI KAJIYAMA

“The Standard”: "Verstappen takes his first win of the season in Japan. The Red Bull driver prevailed ahead of Norris and Piastri. The top six crossed the finish line as they had started. Mercedes talent Antonelli showed off."

"View""It's only in the pit lane that things get hairy. Verstappen extends his Japanese streak – Antonelli sets a record. Despite dominating practice, the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have to admit defeat to Max Verstappen in the Japanese GP."

“Tagesanzeiger”: "Suddenly on the grass – a pit stop causes excitement during Verstappen's triumphant drive. The Dutchman wins in Suzuka and puts Lando Norris under pressure."