F1 returns to Japan next as Suzuka hosts the Japanese Grand Prix and round three of the 2025 F1 season.
Oscar Piastri won the last race in China, as he looks to take the title fight to McLaren teammate Lando Norris, who has an eight-point lead to Max Verstappen in the world championship.
Ferrari will be looking to bounce back after both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were disqualified from the race in China due to two technical infringements.
Yet the biggest story heading into the weekend is home hero Yuki Tsunoda making his debut for Red Bull, after Christian Horner decided to drop Liam Lawson to the junior team following just two races. How will Tsunoda fare in his place?
Follow latest updates from the Japanese Grand Prix with The Independent
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F1 JAPANESE GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES
- Qualifying for the Japan GP started at 7am (BST) on Saturday morning
- Lando Norris was quickest in third practice on Saturday
- Fires continue to break out trackside in practice on Saturday
Kimi Antonelli safely through!
07:22
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Kieran Jackson
Antonelli gets through in P8 - and Liam Lawson squeezes through at the end by 0.2 seconds!
Bottom-five and out in Q1 (16-20): Hulkenberg, Bortoleto, Ocon, Doohan, Stroll
What happened to Lance Stroll?!
Top-3: Piastri, Russell, Norris
Alex Albon up to P5!
07:16
,
Kieran Jackson
Impressive lap from the Williams driver - up to fifth!
Current bottom-five (16-20): Lawson, Alonso, Antonelli, Hadjar, Stroll
Antonelli in trouble for Mercedes then ahead of the final flying laps!
2:00 to go in Q1...
Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar...
07:13
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Kieran Jackson
“I don’t know what to do, I can’t focus. I have so much lap time.”
Hadjar down in P19.
Bottom-five (16-20): Lawson, Alonso, Antonelli, Hadjar, Stroll
8:00 to go in Q1...
Max Verstappen...
07:08
,
Kieran Jackson
“I still have the same problems, the front is still not gripping.”
Verstappen P4 early on... but not happy with the RB21!
Lando Norris quickest so far!
07:07
,
Kieran Jackson
Norris sets the pace early on, with Leclerc in second and Tsunoda in third!
About half the pack have set laps so far!
12:00 remaining... and no trackside fires yet!
Q1 underway!
07:01
,
Kieran Jackson
Bit of a queue at the end of the pit-lane as we get underway with qualifying in Suzuka!
The Haas drivers of Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon the first two cars out of the pit-lane here!
18 minutes where we will lose the slowest five drivers here!
Grass fires in FP3!
07:00
,
Kieran Jackson
Final practice at the Japanese Grand Prix was again disrupted by grass fires at the side of the track as Lando Norris set the pace.
Friday’s second session was halted twice due to the issue, with dry grass catching fire from the sparks thrown up by the skid blocks under the cars.
The FIA said on Friday evening that preventative measures, including dampening the grass and stationing specific response teams around the track, had been taken.
But it took just six minutes for Saturday’s running in the Suzuka sunshine to be brought to a halt as marshals were sent out with fire extinguishers to deal with more flames.
FULL FP3 RESULTS:
06:57
,
Kieran Jackson
Practice is complete ✅
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 5, 2025
Here's your full classification from FP3! Now onto qualifying #F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/vXw8yPHg4u
Qualifying in China!
06:56
,
Kieran Jackson
Here we go then with the third grand prix qualifying session of the season!
McLaren, and more specifically Lando Norris, seem to be the favourites for pole! But can anyone stop them?!
Max Verstappen on RB21 car:
06:40
,
Kieran Jackson
“It is a little bit more nervous, a little bit more unstable in different corner phases," the Dutchman explained. Verstappen spent a portion of last week in Milton Keynes last week too, keen to analyse the car with his engineers.
"I think it's a combination of a lot of things. It depends also on the corner speed, the tarmac, tyres, overheating, bumps, kerbs. Some tracks are more limiting than others. Some issues are easier to solve than others. Everyone is trying their hardest to make the car faster."
EXCLUSIVE: Yuki Tsunoda on F1 change which kept Red Bull dream alive
06:30
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Kieran Jackson
It was the straw which broke the camel’s back for Yuki Tsunoda in Formula One: a final unleashing of road rage, with sparks flying on the asphalt and over the airwaves.
Disgruntled over a late-race position swap at last year’s season-opener in Bahrain, Tsunoda was eager to vent his exasperation after the race concluded. As cars trundled aimlessly back to the pits, Tsunoda divebombed his teammate Daniel Ricciardo before swerving erratically – and dangerously – towards the second RB car. “Yeah thanks guys,” Tsunoda ranted, sarcastically, over team radio. “I appreciate it.”
Ricciardo, generally not one to lose his cool, momentarily did: “What the f*** is wrong? I’ll save it... f***ing helmet.”
It is the instance of immaturity Tsunoda himself brings up, at the end of a 15-minute conversation with The Independent, which flicked a switch in his mind: the fiery blow-ups could not continue.
McLaren F1 legend suffers ‘medical emergency’ with family releasing statement
06:24
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Kieran Jackson
McLaren legend Jochen Mass has suffered a “medical emergency” – with his family revealing the 78-year-old will be “stepping back from all public appearances” while he recovers.
The exact nature of the emergency for German icon Mass, who raced 105 times in F1 from 1973-1982 and won the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix, has not been revealed by his family.
A statement on Sunday read: “The family of Jochen Mass, wishes to share that he is currently recovering from a recent medical emergency.
“While Jochen’s condition is stable, he will be stepping back from all public appearances and engagements for the foreseeable future as he focuses on his recovery.
“We as a family are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support and kindly request privacy during this time. We are wishing Jochen a speedy recovery.”
Max Verstappen stands by reaction to Liam Lawson’s Red Bull F1 axe: ‘I liked the comment’
06:01
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Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen has admitted his “like” of a social media post criticising Red Bull’s decision to drop Liam Lawson was “not a mistake”, ahead of this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.
Lawson was dropped after a torrid first two races of the season in Australia and China, with Yuki Tsunoda picked to replace him. Lawson drops back down to the junior team, Racing Bulls, while Tsunoda makes his Red Bull debut at his home race in Suzuka this weekend.
Yet Verstappen raised eyebrows last week when he liked an Instagram post by ex-F1 driver Giedo van der Garde, which stated Red Bull’s decision to drop Lawson was “closer to bullying or a panic move.”
Verstappen, who is eyeing a fifth straight world championship this year, refused to elaborate further on his opinion on the early-season driver swap – other than to confirm that his Instagram like was “not a mistake.”
Full story below:
Sergio Perez reveals talks with multiple teams over F1 return
05:29
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Kieran Jackson
“I've been approached by a few teams since Abu Dhabi. The season has started, so a few things will open up in the coming months," Perez said.
"Once I know all my options, I will make a decision.
“What is very clear to me is that I'm only coming back if the project makes sense and it's something I can enjoy."
Lewis Hamilton dismissed claims he has 'lost faith' in Ferrari as 'complete nonsense'
05:14
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Kieran Jackson
“I saw something asking whether I was losing faith in the team which is complete rubbish,” Hamilton said in Japan.
“I have absolute 100 per cent faith in this team.”
Full quotes below:
F1 constructor standings after two races:
05:00
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Kieran Jackson
1. McLaren - 78 points
2. Mercedes - 57 points
3. Red Bull - 36 points
4. Williams - 17 points
5. Ferrari - 17 points
6. Haas - 14 points
7. Aston Martin - 10 points
8. Sauber - 6 points
9. Racing Bulls - 3 points
10. Alpine - 0 points
Carlos Sainz on trying to find results at Williams:
04:01
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Kieran Jackson
“We’re working in changing my driving style for this kind of circuit and asphalt. And changing the car as well, to adapt it in my direction and paying attention to what worked in Bahrain.
“With these experiences and theories, we’ll face Suzuka with excitement and motivation to see if we can take that step forward.”
Lewis Hamilton’s win in China ‘not good’ for relationship with Charles Leclerc, says former F1 champion
03:03
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Kieran Jackson
Jacques Villeneuve believes Lewis Hamilton’s sprint win in China is “not good” for his relationship with Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc.
Hamilton claimed his first win in the red of Ferrari with victory in the Saturday sprint race in Shanghai, a day before the Brit and Leclerc were disqualified from the grand prix.
Ferrari will be looking to bounce back at the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend, round three of the 2025 season, but 1997 F1 world champion Villeneuve believes the sprint win puts Hamilton in a “privileged” position within the Italian team.
“Lewis, having won a race, I'm not sure it’s very good for the relationship [with Leclerc],” Villeneuve said.
Full quotes below:
WATCH: Lawson reacts to Red Bull axe
02:03
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Kieran Jackson
Lando Norris states McLaren are only F1 team that currently have ‘two good drivers’
01:01
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Kieran Jackson
“We are not that far ahead but I think it’s because we literally are the only team that has two good drivers at the minute,” Norris said in Japan.
“That’s the big difference, you know, if one of us was doing a lot worse, or one of us was not as strong…
“I think just the fact we have two good drivers is obviously making the biggest difference.”
Jack Doohan's reaction to 185mph crash:
Saturday 5 April 2025 00:03
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Kieran Jackson
“First of all, I am OK after the incident.
“It was a heavy one, something that caught me by surprise, and I will learn from it. I know the team has a lot of work ahead to repair the car going into tomorrow, so thanks in advance to them for their efforts.
“My focus is on tomorrow where we will have Free Practice 3 to get ready for Qualifying.”
Red Bull senior adviser Helmut Marko on Tsunoda's start:
Friday 4 April 2025 23:00
"A very good day for Yuki"
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 4, 2025
Helmut Marko full of praise after Tsunoda’s first Red Bull outing pic.twitter.com/MQ2NHiW3lk
What are the timings in Suzuka?
Friday 4 April 2025 22:02
,
Kieran Jackson
All times BST
Saturday 5 April
- Free practice 3: 3:30am
- Qualifying: 7am
Sunday 6 April
- Race: 6am
FULL STORY: Doohan suffers 185mph crash in practice
Friday 4 April 2025 22:01
,
Kieran Jackson
Jack Doohan escaped unharmed after a massive 185mph crash in practice at the Japanese Grand Prix on Friday.
The Australian driver, in just his fourth F1 race weekend, was driving full-throttle down the main straight towards the sweeping right-handed turn 1 corner.
Yet the car bottomed out, with the DRS rear wing still open, and Doohan’s Alpine car spun violently into the tyre barrier.
Full report below:
Max Verstappen will receive Aston Martin offer ‘he can’t refuse’, says ex-F1 driver
Friday 4 April 2025 20:01
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Kieran Jackson
Former F1 race winner Juan Pablo Montoya believes Max Verstappen will receive an offer from Aston Martin “he can’t refuse” next year.
Full quotes below:
Yuki Tsunoda's first day in a Red Bull:
Friday 4 April 2025 19:01
,
Kieran Jackson
Yuki Tsunoda made a solid start to life at Red Bull. The Japanese driver has replaced Liam Lawson after the New Zealander was ditched after just two races and returned to Racing Bulls.
Tsunoda was sixth fastest in FP1 and just over a tenth off the pace of team-mate and four-time world champion Max Verstappen.
Lawson, meanwhile, was 13th fastest, more than three-tenths off the other Racing Bull of Isack Hadjar.
FP2’s times were largely irrelevant given all the yellow flags...
F1 driver standings after two races:
Friday 4 April 2025 18:00
,
Kieran Jackson
1. Lando Norris – 44 points
2. Max Verstappen – 36 points
3. George Russell – 35 points
4. Oscar Piastri – 34 points
5. Kimi Antonelli – 22 points
6. Alex Albon – 16 points
7. Esteban Ocon – 10 points
8. Lance Stroll – 10 points
9. Lewis Hamilton – 9 points
10. Charles Leclerc – 8 points
11. Nico Hulkenberg – 6 points
12. Ollie Bearman – 4 points
13. Yuki Tsunoda – 3 points
14. Carlos Sainz – 1 point
15. Isack Hadjar – 0 points
16. Pierre Gasly – 0 points
17. Liam Lawson – 0 points
18. Jack Doohan – 0 points
19. Gabriel Bortoleto – 0 points
20. Fernando Alonso – 0 points
Lewis Hamilton dismissed claims he has 'lost faith' in Ferrari as 'complete nonsense'
Friday 4 April 2025 17:01
,
Kieran Jackson
“I saw something asking whether I was losing faith in the team which is complete rubbish,” Hamilton said in Japan.
“I have absolute 100 per cent faith in this team.”
Full quotes below:
JAPAN GP PREVIEW: The challenge facing Yuki Tsunoda? To master a car built for Max Verstappen
Friday 4 April 2025 16:01
,
Kieran Jackson
Out of all the drivers who have tried and failed to fulfil their promise at Red Bull, Alex Albon put it best – in a non-F1 spiel – in explaining the seismic challenge one faces with a car engineered to the demands of the team’s leading driver, Max Verstappen.
Now forming one-half of Williams’s impressive driver line-up alongside Carlos Sainz after a difficult 18-month spell at Red Bull in 2019-20, Albon told The High Performace Podcast in 2023: “I would say my driving style is a bit more on the smooth side, but I like a car that has a good front-end, so quite sharp, quite direct.
“Max does too, but his level of sharp and direct is a whole different level – it’s eye-wateringly sharp.”
Full preview below:
What are the timings for the Japanese GP this weekend?
Friday 4 April 2025 14:59
,
Kieran Jackson
All times BST
Saturday 5 April
- Free practice 3: 3:30am
- Qualifying: 7am
Sunday 6 April
- Race: 6am
WATCH: Tsunoda reacts to Red Bull call-up
Friday 4 April 2025 14:47
,
Kieran Jackson
FIA STATEMENT
Friday 4 April 2025 12:36
,
Kieran Jackson
The FIA has announced a number of “pre-emptive measures” to eradicate the trackside fires which curtailed practice at the Japanese Grand Prix.
An FIA statement read: “While we continue to look into the fires that occurred during FP2, our focus before tomorrow will be on taking preemptive measures.
“The grass has been cut as short as possible, and loose, dried grass has been removed from affected areas.
“Prior to tomorrow's sessions, the grass will be dampened, and specific response teams will be stationed around the track.”
Christian Horner on Yuki Tsunoda's FP1:
Friday 4 April 2025 12:07
,
Kieran Jackson
“He’s now in his fifth season in Formula 1, so he’s got quite a lot of experience now behind him.
“He certainly made in a high pressured situation a positive start, and he just needs to build on that now through the rest of the weekend.
“He brings experience. And I think you know that knowledge is very useful. This season is all going to be about a development race, and that’s why that we took the decision early.
“I think Liam would have got there, but it might have taken five, six, seven races, or half a season, we don’t have that amount of time. So, you know, after discussing it internally, we decided, ‘right, we’ve got to rip the plaster off now and get on with it’. And that’s what we chose to do.
“And Yuki has jumped in and done a good job initially.”
FP2 RESULTS:
Friday 4 April 2025 11:01
,
Kieran Jackson
McLaren sets the pace with a 1-2 in FP2, with Isack Hadjar in P3
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 4, 2025
Here's the full classification from an eventful second practice... ⏱️#F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/k2TpCU8ks0
Lewis Hamilton, speaking after practice:
Friday 4 April 2025 10:25
,
Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton says he feels optimistic with the car after a positive first day of practice at the Japanese Grand Prix ️ pic.twitter.com/GuRDQsVcQZ
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) April 4, 2025
TOP-10 IN FP2:
Friday 4 April 2025 08:05
,
Kieran Jackson
1. Piastri
2. Norris
3. Hadjar
4. Hamilton
5. Lawson
6. Russell
7. Leclerc
8. Verstappen
9. Gasly
10. Sainz
RED FLAG!
Friday 4 April 2025 08:01
,
Kieran Jackson
Session stopped for a fourth time - and again for a fire on the side of the track!
The sparks from the cars igniting the dry grass once again, with the wind picking up at Suzuka!
Session over! How bizarre!
FP2 back underway!
Friday 4 April 2025 07:53
Another massive queue in the pit-lane with that fire now put out!
38 minutes of the session has been lost here... so every minute counts with seven minutes remaining!
RED FLAG!
Friday 4 April 2025 07:49
,
Kieran Jackson
A third stoppage in this session!
There’s fire on the grass on the outside of turn 11!
The sparks generated from the cars has blown onto the side of the track... what a bizarre situation!
Should be a quick stoppage mind!
FP2 resumes!
Friday 4 April 2025 07:45
Alonso’s car removed from the gravel quickly and we’re back going with FP2!
Only 15 minutes left though!
Top-3 so far is: Russell, Hamilton, Alonso
Alonso...
Friday 4 April 2025 07:37
,
Kieran Jackson
“Bit of bouncing on the entry...”
Alonso all fine, but replays show it was a driver error this time - he dipped a wheel onto the grass and lost control of his Aston Martin!
RED FLAG!
Friday 4 April 2025 07:35
,
Kieran Jackson
Another stoppage here!
Fernando Alonso is stuck in the gravel at Degna 1!
FP2 resumes!
Friday 4 April 2025 07:31
,
Kieran Jackson
A massive queue at the end of the pit-lane as second practice gets underway!
Lando Norris the first car out on track...
FIA UDPATE
Friday 4 April 2025 07:25
,
Kieran Jackson
Six minutes until estimated session resumption!
Doohan looks shaken up!
Friday 4 April 2025 07:13
,
Kieran Jackson
Doohan says he’s OK, but walked out of the very gingerly!
It’s a massive shunt at turn 1... hard to see a driver error too on the replay, but it’s a big spin into the tyre barrier! This will be a long repair job,..
Worth mentioning that Doohan did not take part in FP1, with Alpine reserve Ryo Hirakawa taking his place!
RED FLAG!
Friday 4 April 2025 07:09
Jack Doohan is in the wall at turn 1!
“I’m OK,” he said.
Red flag! Session stopped with 52 minutes left..
Williams's Carlos Sainz...
Friday 4 April 2025 07:06
,
Kieran Jackson
“Something is wrong with the car, mad bouncing into turn 13...”
Sub-optimal start for the Williams driver! He’s back in the pits...
FP2 underway!
Friday 4 April 2025 07:00
,
Kieran Jackson
A beautiful clear day in Suzuka and we’re underway with second practice at round three of the 2025 season!
Can anyone beat Lando Norris to the top of the timesheet this time?
FP1 RESULTS
Friday 4 April 2025 06:51