‘He forced me off’: Ugly drama rocks Japanese Grand Prix

Two Formula 1 stars almost came to blows as the championship battle went up a notch during the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday.

Max Verstappen has claimed a stunning victory at the Japanese Grand Prix ahead of McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

The four-time Formula 1 world champion proved his stunning pole position lap on Saturday was no fluke as he took the chequered flag to move to within one point of Norris on the championship table.

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While the top three remained within close proximity for the majority of the race, the Red Bull star held off his rivals with a perfectly run race.

But it wasn’t without drama as the championship battle almost came to blows at the Suzuka Circuit.

After a rather lacklustre opening 21 laps it all unfolded when both Verstappen and Norris dived into the pits for a set of new tyres.

A one-second slower pit stop from Red Bull opened the door for Norris who shot out from the pit box and alongside his rival.

But as they crossed the pit lane and were about to head back onto the track, Norris found himself on the grass as Verstappen took off.

The McLaren driver was left seething and instantly got on the radio to his team, believing his championship rival had forced him off the track.

“He forced me off. Saw me alongside. I was easily alongside,” Norris said.

Verstappen however saw things differently.

“He drove himself into the grass,” the four-time F1 champ said to his team.

The incident drew the attention of the stewards who wasted no time in siding with Verstappen by stating no further investigation was required.

Lando was clearly behind Verstappen leaving the pits.

After losing the edge to Verstappen, Norris clawed the gap back and moved to within 1.3 seconds with less than 10 laps to go.

Unfortunately for the British driver he could never get close enough to grab DRS and put even more pressure on his rival.

The victory means the opening three races of the 2025 season have been won by different drivers with Verstappen joining Norris and Piastri on the top of the podium.

Norris remains on top of the championship table with 62 points, one point clear of Verstappen with Piastri third on 49 after moving ahead of George Russell on 45.

Verstappen held off the McLaren’s. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP)

JAPAN GRAND PRIX RESULTS

1: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

2: Lando Norris (McLaren)

3: Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

4: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

5: George Russell (Mercedes)

6: Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)

7: Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

8: Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)

9: Alex Albon (Williams)

10: Ollie Bearman (Haas)

11: Fernando Alonso, Yuki Tsunoda, Pierre Gasly, Carlos Sainz, Jack Doohan, Nico Hulkenberg, Liam Lawson, Esteban Ocon, Gabriel Borteleto, Lance Stroll

Originally published as ‘He forced me off’: Ugly drama rocks Japanese Grand Prix