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Lando Norris

Formula 1/suzuka

McLaren tips Mercedes as biggest F1 rival at Japanese GP

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McLaren Formula 1 drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri believe Mercedes will be their biggest opponent in this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

After winning one race apiece in Australia and China, Norris and Piastri are the favourites to win in Japan and Friday’s practice running did little to suggest otherwise – Norris topped FP1 and Piastri headed a disjointed FP2 punctuated by four red flags.

Although Norris felt McLaren was “still at the top”, he was impressed by George Russell’s pace in first practice as the Mercedes driver’s best lap was just 0.163s behind the McLaren.

Russell’s rookie team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli could not get a representative lap together, but looked competitive on long run pace.

“I still think we’re at the top, but George was very quick this morning, just as quick as us,” Norris said.

“So, I think Mercedes are in a good place. Maybe Red Bull looked a little bit further off, but they have looked further off into qualifying and then they get a bit closer again.

George Russell, Mercedes

George Russell, Mercedes

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

“FP2 was just a messy session, so I don’t think this session was probably the best example of where everyone was. I think maybe FP1 was a better example that you kind of saw teams in order. But I still expect it to be close and a tough battle tomorrow.

“I hope it’s nice and easy for us, but I’m sure Mercedes at least – and definitely George from today’s showing – will be challenging us a bit tomorrow.

“We made some steps forward, but there are still some things to try and improve. It was tricky just because of the wind. You’re on such a fine limit for such a long time, like the first sector.

“The tiniest bit of wind can really upset the car quite a lot. I’m sure everyone is struggling with a similar thing.”

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Piastri echoed his team-mate’s comments when asked about F1’s pecking order in Japan: “It’s really hard to know. In FP1 it was difficult to get pace out of the car. In FP2 I was much more comfortable, but I think Mercedes looked very quick as well.

“I’m feeling confident that we’ve got good pace for the rest of the weekend, but it’s still a little bit tricky at this point, so I think we’ve still got to be on our toes.”

McLaren lead the constructors’ standings after the opening two weekends of the 2025 season and the British outfit is 21 points ahead of second-placed Mercedes.

In this article

Filip Cleeren

Formula 1

Lando Norris

Oscar Piastri

McLaren

Mercedes

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Formula 1/suzuka

McLaren tips Mercedes as its biggest rival for F1 Japanese Grand Prix

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McLaren Formula 1 drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri believe Mercedes will be their biggest opponent in this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

After winning one race apiece in Australia and China, Norris and Piastri are the favourites to win in Japan and Friday’s practice running did little to suggest otherwise – Norris topped FP1 and Piastri headed a disjointed FP2 punctuated by four red flags.

Although Norris felt McLaren was “still at the top”, he was impressed by George Russell’s pace in first practice as the Mercedes driver’s best lap was just 0.163s behind the McLaren.

Russell’s rookie team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli could not get a representative lap together, but looked competitive on long run pace.

“I still think we’re at the top, but George was very quick this morning, just as quick as us,” Norris said.

“So, I think Mercedes are in a good place. Maybe Red Bull looked a little bit further off, but they have looked further off into qualifying and then they get a bit closer again.

George Russell, Mercedes

George Russell, Mercedes

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

“FP2 was just a messy session, so I don’t think this session was probably the best example of where everyone was. I think maybe FP1 was a better example that you kind of saw teams in order. But I still expect it to be close and a tough battle tomorrow.

“I hope it’s nice and easy for us, but I’m sure Mercedes at least – and definitely George from today’s showing – will be challenging us a bit tomorrow.

“We made some steps forward, but there are still some things to try and improve. It was tricky just because of the wind. You’re on such a fine limit for such a long time, like the first sector.

“The tiniest bit of wind can really upset the car quite a lot. I’m sure everyone is struggling with a similar thing.”

Piastri echoed his team-mate’s comments when asked about F1’s pecking order in Japan: “It’s really hard to know. In FP1 it was difficult to get pace out of the car. In FP2 I was much more comfortable, but I think Mercedes looked very quick as well.

“I’m feeling confident that we’ve got good pace for the rest of the weekend, but it’s still a little bit tricky at this point, so I think we’ve still got to be on our toes.”

McLaren lead the constructors’ standings after the opening two weekends of the 2025 season and the British outfit is 21 points ahead of second-placed Mercedes.

Photos from Japanese GP – Practice

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In this article

Filip Cleeren

Formula 1

Lando Norris

Oscar Piastri

Mercedes

McLaren

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2025 F1 season/2025 Japanese Grand Prix/Lando Norris/Practice reports/Yuki Tsunoda

Norris quickest in first practice as Tsunoda makes a strong start at Red Bull · RaceFans

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Lando Norris led the first practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix while Red Bull’s new driver made a promising start.

Yuki Tsunoda ended the first hour of practice just one tenth of a second behind team mate Max Verstappen. Both reported some unusual behaviour from their RB21s over the course of the session. “I found the car interesting on the track,” reported Tsunoda as he headed to the pits, Verstappen having previously described his handling as “super-weird” as “the car is just flexing a lot.”

The two Red Bulls, in their one-off white and red liveries, occupied fifth and sixth on the timing screens at the end of the session. Verstappen was half a second off Norris’s pace.

The McLaren driver did not look entirely comfortable, however. He went off at the exit of the chicane earlier in the session and complained about graining during his final laps on medium rubber before taking the chequered flag. His team mate Oscar Piastri was a lowly 15th.

George Russell had good pace earlier in the session on the medium tyre compound but couldn’t quite match Norris on the soft rubber. He ended the session a tenth of a second behind in second place. His team mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli was half a second off him in ninth place, having skidded into the gravel trap at the hairpin towards the end of the hour.

There was little to separate Ferrari’s drivers through much of the session. Charles Leclerc ended up narrowly ahead of Lewis Hamilton, the pair third and fourth ahead of the Red Bulls.

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Isack Hadjar continued to demonstrate the Racing Bulls’ pace, setting the eighth-quickest time, just three thousandths of a second off Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin. Liam Lawson, back at Racing Bulls, was three tenths off his team mate in 13th.

Behind Antonelli, Carlos Sainz Jnr took the final place in the top 10, despite a gaffe when he drove past Williams’ pit box. His team mate Alexander Albon also went off at the hairpin like Antonelli.

Alpine test driver Ryo Hirakawa enjoyed a trouble-free run to the 12th-fastest time, almost a second ahead of Pierre Gasly in the other A525. Haas brought a new floor for their VF-25 but their drivers ended the session ahead of only Gabriel Bortoleto’s Sauber.

2025 Japanese Grand Prix Grand Prix first practice result

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2025 Japanese Grand Prix

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Formula 1

Five things to watch out for at the Japanese GP

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Will Tsunoda prove Red Bull right?

It’s a huge weekend for Yuki Tsunoda, as all eyes will be on him from the first laps on Friday – not just because he’s finally got himself in the Red Bull seat he’s been dreaming about for so long, but because his debut with the team coincides with his home race.

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He’s aiming for a podium and says he’s welcoming expectation and pressure, yet it’s only when the running starts that he’ll face the reality of what is described as the toughest job in F1. Helmut Marko may be right: doing worse than Liam Lawson managed in the first two race weekends of 2025 will be difficult, but the RB21 is a tricky car to handle.

Will he avoid qualifying last? Can he get through to Q2? Or even Q3? Will he be able to score points in that second Red Bull car? Marko says Tsunoda will finish the season with Red Bull, but everybody knows how quickly the team bosses can change their minds. Tsunoda will need to deliver – and he needs to start doing that already this week.

– Oleg Karpov

Can Lawson bounce back after his Red Bull demotion?

With all spotlights on Tsunoda, looking at Liam Lawson is equally interesting. On Thursday, he’ll face the media for the first time after his Red Bull demotion, but the weekend itself can be one of opportunity – an opportunity to show the outside world that he is still a more-than-capable racing driver and one who deserves a longer career in F1.

Liam Lawson, Red Bull Racing

Liam Lawson, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Mark Thompson

It’s also an opportunity to prove Max Verstappen right. The Dutchman told us in Shanghai that Lawson could be quicker in a Racing Bulls car, as it is easier to drive and more predictable.

Suzuka is the first track of the season that Lawson knows well, and he can take some extra confidence from the past: Pierre Gasly has shown it’s perfectly possible to bounce back and even develop yourself as a team leader after a Red Bull demotion. It’s an example for Lawson to follow, ideally starting in Japan.

– Ronald Vording

Will McLaren continue to dominate?

While it is true that McLaren struggled to get things right on a sprint weekend with only one practice session in China, the team managed a solid 1-2 finish when it mattered most.

Now in Japan, McLaren will have more than enough time to perfect the MCL39. Yes, the same goes for its rivals, but the Woking-based outfit has shown it’s got the edge so far, and it would be surprising to see anyone gain so much in a weekend where there shouldn’t be any major upgrades.

What’s more, Lando Norris qualified third at Suzuka last year, less than three-tenths of a second behind the then-dominant Red Bull of Max Verstappen, well before McLaren’s famous Miami upgrade.

Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

However, two things could spoil McLaren’s weekend: the weather and history. Rain could fall on Sunday, creating unexpected scenarios, while the last two times McLaren won the opening two grands prix, in 1998 and 2003, they failed to do so in the third round.

But the third time’s the charm, right?

– Federico Faturos

Norris’ response to Piastri’s win in Shanghai

With McLaren proving to be the team with the fastest car, the fight for the title could turn into an internal battle between Norris and Oscar Piastri. That’s why every point counts. It’s not just about being fast but also about being consistent and maximizing opportunities.

In their two years together, Norris has proven he can be the team’s benchmark in terms of raw speed, as he has consistently performed at a very high level. But that alone is not enough to fight for and win a world championship, as we saw last season. Consistency is what turns speed into titles.

Norris has the pace to stay ahead – he has shown it. But he needs to build confidence and put together a clean weekend without mistakes, especially in qualifying, to avoid starting behind. Piastri will keep improving and won’t wait for Norris. The Australian’s victory in China is a declaration of his title ambitions. Norris has to respond.

– Gianluca d’Alessandro

What is Ferrari’s true form?

McLaren is clearly in front. Red Bull is a step behind and so far still looks like a one-car operation. Mercedes is another step behind its direct rivals – but at least consistent so far, with George Russell delivering on a promise to become the team’s new and sole leader while Andrea Kimi Antonelli keeps learning and improving.

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images

But where Ferrari stands in the battle at the top is still somewhat unknown.

The Melbourne weekend was baffling, as pace suddenly disappeared after a good Friday, and Shanghai only added more unknowns to the equation. Lewis Hamilton’s dominant performance in the sprint suggests there’s a lot of potential in the SF-25, but the main race wasn’t only scrappy – it ended in a double disqualification. As a result, Ferrari is only fifth in the constructors’ standings after two rounds.

A clean weekend in Japan from the Scuderia is necessary to assess its true form in 2025.

– Oleg Karpov

In this article

Motorsport.com staff writers

Formula 1

Max Verstappen

Lando Norris

Liam Lawson

Yuki Tsunoda

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2025 Chinese Grand Prix/2025 F1 season/Formula 1/Lando Norris/Oscar Piastri

Even the best driver on the grid needs a team mate to push them

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Lando Norris said McLaren’s strong driver pairing is a vital advantage for them, after they won the two opening rounds of the new season.

He made the remarks after McLaren scored more than double the points of Red Bull over the Australian and Chinese grands prix. All of Red Bull’s 36 points were scored by Max Verstappen, who is Norris’s closest rival at the top of the drivers’ championship.

The poor performance of Verstappen’s new team mate Liam Lawson has raised speculation Red Bull may cut him loose just two races after he was hired to replace the under-performing Sergio Perez. Norris says McLaren’s more competitive pairing gives them an edge over the competition.

“Apart from Ferrari, I don’t think there’s another team that has two drivers that push each other anywhere near as much,” he said in the FIA press conference after Sunday’s race. “And for us, that’s a huge advantage.

“Even if you have the same car for everyone, if you have a team with two drivers who can push each other, they’re always going to beat everyone else that’s just on their own.

“We have a great car, we have a great team, but we also have two drivers that are pushing each other more than any other team has. And that will always triumph — even [over] the best driver on the grid.”

Norris said the co-operation between him and team mate Oscar Piastri is “one of our biggest strengths at the minute.”

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“We have different ways we drive. He wants some things on the car, I want different things. But normally our ways align and we always want the same thing in the end.”

Last weekend in Shanghai the teams had to adapt quickly to the changes in grip levels caused by the recently resurfaced track. “Oscar’s ability to adapt to a track like this was impressive, and something I clearly struggled a lot more to do,” Norris conceded.

“I hate understeer. The one thing I almost hate as much as brakes not working is probably understeer, and that’s what we had this weekend. As soon as we put the hard [tyres] on, for instance, my pace was a lot stronger because I had some front, finally.

“But I’ve learned a lot this weekend from Oscar and his ability to adapt to these different situations. It’s definitely something we’ll maximise because it’s helping us beat every other team at the minute.”

The pair pushed each other hard in both races. At Melbourne, when Norris was leading, the team temporarily instructed Piastri not to attack him when they caught a cluster of backmarkers on the damp, drying track. Norris said the team is ready to handle competitive situations between the drivers when necessary.

“We were free to race today, I didn’t have the pace to really get up to Oscar, and he drove very well. So he deserved it.

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“Same really last weekend, there were those two laps that I know everyone loves to talk about where we just held position, but the rest of it, we were free to race. So I’m sure we’re going to have some closer racing at some point. I think we’re both excited – probably nervous and excited at the same time – as I’m sure the team will be. But we’re ready.”

He believes the competition between McLaren’s drivers will serve them well if they find themselves under more pressure from rival teams in later races.

“We know that as much as we work together and we have a good time and enjoy ourselves, we both know we want to try and beat each other and show who’s best,” he explained. “And that’s inevitable. So there’s no point trying to hide away from that fact or make something of it.

“We’re two competitors who both want to win. But we help each other out. I think we both achieved something better this weekend because of that fact. And we’ll continue to do that.

“So I’m sure at the minute it’s going to be like that, but like Oscar said, at any point other teams can find something. Other teams have talked about upgrades and stuff already and they can catch up quicker than you think, just like we did last year. So as much as we’re doing that, we also have to think as a team and keep pushing the team forward from that side.”

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Formula 1

Norris had “sketchy” end to Chinese GP with brake issue

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Lando Norris admits he was lucky to finish the Chinese Grand Prix having taken second place despite a worsening brake issue to remain at the top of the Formula 1 drivers’ championship.

While his team-mate Oscar Piastri secured victory in Shanghai, Norris had to manage a brake problem in the closing stages and kept George Russell at bay after twice passing the Mercedes on track.

Having won the opening race in Australia and taken a point in the sprint race in China, Norris’ second place leaves him on 44 points, eight points clear of Max Verstappen in the standings.

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Norris revealed the team knew about the issue with the front brakes before reporting it over the team radio with seven laps remaining.

“I would rather finish second than not at all, no hard braking,” race engineer Will Joseph told Norris, before saying the situation had become “critical” on the penultimate lap.

Russell closed up by over three seconds on the final lap but Norris hung on to secure a 50th McLaren 1-2 in F1.

“He would have got me next lap, yeah,” Norris admitted to Sky Sports F1.

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, George Russell, Mercedes

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, George Russell, Mercedes

Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images

“I was lucky to finish the race today which is not something you want to be saying. I mean, brakes are something you hate but something you really do need, and they can save you, save your life.

“So a sketchy last couple of laps, because the brakes were getting worse and worse every lap, and the last couple of laps I’m three or four seconds off, so quite nervous.

“I think the team knew about the problem much before they told me about it, so they wanted to keep me calm.

“So not good at all from that side because we’re lucky to have finished the race, but to finish with a 1-2 makes us very happy. It’s what we wanted to come into the weekend with, and it’s what we achieved, so yeah, a very good day for the team.”

Having admitted to making mistakes in sprint qualifying, the sprint race and qualifying for the grand prix itself, Norris put in a better performance on Sunday.

He got past Russell into the first corner to take second place, and again after the undercut worked in favour of the Mercedes man following the one and only round of stops for the leaders.

Asked if he could have challenged Piastri for the win without the brake complication, Norris replied: “It doesn’t really matter, does it? I would have loved to have challenged Oscar today, but he drove well. I had the pace for sure especially because in dirty air it’s a lot more tricky like we’ve seen all weekend, but I do think the pace was there.

“But Oscar deserved it completely. He took pole yesterday and then a win today, so he’s driven very well. A shame about my brakes in the end, but that’s life. We’ll take it on the chin and move on.”

Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images

Both McLaren drivers now have a grand prix win to their name in 2025 and, heading to Japan in a fortnight, Norris was much happier than when he first took to the track in Shanghai.

“I mean it’s going to be exciting, it’s exciting for all of us,” he added.

“It’s tough but I’m still feeling good. With how bad the car had been yesterday and the day before I really felt like a good few steps behind all weekend.

“In terms of driving personally and just with the car balance today things came towards me a lot more and the pace difference from today to yesterday showed just how much having a car that suits you versus a car that doesn’t suit you can make, because I felt like I probably had the best pace out there today.

“It doesn’t mean I’m going to win with the best pace, but I felt, like, very confident today, and I felt the complete opposite yesterday, so a positive in terms of learnings and takeaways for the next few weekends.

“Even though I’ve been driving a McLaren for six, seven years, this weekend was a complete new one for me and I had to change a lot of things in my driving, so glad that I got some answers.”

In this article

Mark Mann-Bryans

Formula 1

Lando Norris

McLaren

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Formula 1

Norris had “sketchy” end to F1 Chinese GP with brake issue

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Lando Norris admits he was lucky to finish the Chinese Grand Prix, having taken second place despite a worsening brake issue to remain at the top of the Formula 1 drivers’ championship.

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While his team-mate Oscar Piastri secured victory in Shanghai, Norris had to manage a brake problem in the closing stages and kept George Russell at bay after twice passing the Mercedes on track.

Having won the opening race in Australia and taken a point in the sprint race in China, Norris’ second place leaves him on 44 points, eight points clear of Max Verstappen in the standings.

Norris revealed the team knew about the issue with the front brakes before reporting it over the team radio with seven laps remaining.

“I would rather finish second than not at all, no hard braking,” race engineer Will Joseph told Norris, before saying the situation had become “critical” on the penultimate lap.

Russell closed up by over three seconds on the final lap but Norris hung on to secure a 50th McLaren one-two in F1.

“He would have got me next lap, yeah,” Norris admitted to Sky Sports F1.

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, George Russell, Mercedes

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, George Russell, Mercedes

Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images

“I was lucky to finish the race today which is not something you want to be saying. I mean, brakes are something you hate but something you really do need, and they can save you, save your life.

“So a sketchy last couple of laps, because the brakes were getting worse and worse every lap, and the last couple of laps I’m three or four seconds off, so quite nervous.

“I think the team knew about the problem much before they told me about it, so they wanted to keep me calm.

“So not good at all from that side because we’re lucky to have finished the race, but to finish with a one-two makes us very happy. It’s what we wanted to come into the weekend with, and it’s what we achieved, so yeah, a very good day for the team.”

Having admitted to making mistakes in sprint qualifying, the sprint race and qualifying for the grand prix itself, Norris put in a better performance on Sunday.

He got past Russell into the first corner to take second place, and again after the undercut worked in favour of the Mercedes man following the one and only round of stops for the leaders.

Asked if he could have challenged Piastri for the win without the brake complication, Norris replied: “It doesn’t really matter, does it? I would have loved to have challenged Oscar today, but he drove well. I had the pace for sure especially because in dirty air it’s a lot more tricky like we’ve seen all weekend, but I do think the pace was there.

“But Oscar deserved it completely. He took pole yesterday and then a win today, so he’s driven very well. A shame about my brakes in the end, but that’s life. We’ll take it on the chin and move on.”

Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images

Both McLaren drivers now have a grand prix win to their name in 2025 and, heading to Japan in a fortnight, Norris was much happier than when he first took to the track in Shanghai.

“I mean it’s going to be exciting, it’s exciting for all of us,” he added.

“It’s tough but I’m still feeling good. With how bad the car had been yesterday and the day before I really felt like a good few steps behind all weekend.

“In terms of driving personally and just with the car balance today things came towards me a lot more and the pace difference from today to yesterday showed just how much having a car that suits you versus a car that doesn’t suit you can make, because I felt like I probably had the best pace out there today.

“It doesn’t mean I’m going to win with the best pace, but I felt, like, very confident today, and I felt the complete opposite yesterday, so a positive in terms of learnings and takeaways for the next few weekends.

“Even though I’ve been driving a McLaren for six, seven years, this weekend was a complete new one for me and I had to change a lot of things in my driving, so glad that I got some answers.”

Photos from Chinese GP – Race

In this article

Mark Mann-Bryans

Formula 1

Lando Norris

McLaren

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2025 Chinese Grand Prix/2025 F1 season/Formula 1/Lando Norris

Norris was “a little bit scared” when brakes began to fail at end of race · RaceFans

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Lando Norris said his growing brake failure during the Chinese Grand Prix was a “nightmare.”

The McLaren driver reported his brake pedal felt as if it was “going long” for many laps towards the end of the race. His race engineer Will Joseph repeatedly urged him to put less pressure on the brakes.

Norris was within a few seconds of race leader Oscar Piastri when the problem developed, and he appeared reluctant to slow down to begin with, but eventually dropped almost 10 seconds behind his team mate.

The experience was “scary,” said Norris after the race. “It’s like my worst nightmare.

“Whenever I have a nightmare, it’s when the brakes are failing. I was losing two, three, four seconds the last couple of laps. So I was a bit scared.”

George Russell closed rapidly on Norris, but finished just over a second behind him.

“We survived, and we made it to the end,” said Norris. “So I would have loved to have given it a little try and put Oscar under a little bit of pressure, but not today.

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“So we’re satisfied, a great result and we’ll go again next time.”

Norris moved into contention for victory when he passed Russell for second at the start of the race. However he had to pass his rival a second time later in the race.

“The start, I was kind of hoping for exactly that,” said Norris. “Turn one went to plan.

“But then George got me on the pit stops. I was a little bit nervous, but our pace was a lot better in the second stint.

“So a tough race just with the management and I don’t think many people expected a one-stop today, so it was good. Oscar drove well, he was quick the whole race. I tried to get close, but in the end, just couldn’t.”

Asked whether he thought he could have challenged Piastri for the victory, Norris said: “It doesn’t matter. He deserved the win, and he drove very well all weekend. So I’m happy with the second.

“It’s good points. It’s great points for us as a team with a one-two. So a big thanks to everyone in papaya. Just how we wanted the race to go so we’re very happy.”

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Vote for your 2025 Chinese Grand Prix F1 Driver of the Weekend

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Start, Shanghai International Circuit, 2025


Which Formula 1 driver made the most of the Chinese Grand Prix weekend?

It’s time to give your verdict on which driver did the best with the equipment at their disposal over the last three days.

Review how each driver got on below and vote for who impressed you the most at Shanghai International Circuit.

Driver performance summary

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Vote for your driver of the weekend

Which driver do you think did the best job throughout the race weekend?

Who got the most out of their car in qualifying and the race? Who put their team mate in the shade?

Cast your vote below and explain why you chose the driver you picked in the comments.

Who was the best driver of the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix weekend?

  • No opinion (0%)
  • Gabriel Bortoleto (0%)
  • Nico Hulkenberg (0%)
  • Carlos Sainz Jnr (0%)
  • Alexander Albon (1%)
  • Yuki Tsunoda (0%)
  • Isack Hadjar (2%)
  • Oliver Bearman (11%)
  • Esteban Ocon (8%)
  • Pierre Gasly (0%)
  • Jack Doohan (1%)
  • Fernando Alonso (0%)
  • Lance Stroll (0%)
  • George Russell (11%)
  • Andrea Kimi Antonelli (1%)
  • Liam Lawson (0%)
  • Max Verstappen (12%)
  • Lewis Hamilton (4%)
  • Charles Leclerc (1%)
  • Oscar Piastri (47%)
  • Lando Norris (1%)

Total Voters: 85

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When this poll is closed the result will be displayed instead of the voting form.

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2025 Chinese Grand Prix/2025 F1 season/Formula 1/Lando Norris/Oscar Piastri

Piastri leads McLaren one-two in China as Norris survives brake scare · RaceFans

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Oscar Piastri led a one-two for McLaren in the Chinese Grand Prix, but the team suffered a scare on his team mate’s car in the final laps.

Lando Norris nursed his MCL39 around the final laps, losing several seconds to his team mate, as he managed a problem with his brakes. Despite increasingly urgent warnings from his race engineer Will Joseph, Norris hung on to complete a one-two for the team.

George Russell completed the podium, closing to little more than a second behind Norris at the flag. He lost second place to Norris at the start, briefly reclaimed it following their sole pit stops, but the McLaren driver repassed him in the DRS zone shortly afterwards.

The Ferrari drivers ran ahead of Max Verstappen early in the race but the Red Bull driver got past both of them before the end. He passed Charles Leclerc on-track, and gained a place from Lewis Hamilton, who fell to sixth place after making a second pit stop.

Following pre-race concerns about how well the tyres would perform, the hard rubber proved resilient enough for most drivers to make a single pit stop. Hamilton was the only driver among the first 13 finishers to pit twice.

Racing Bulls put both their drivers on two-stop strategies, which meant neither driver scored, having started inside the top 10. Yuki Tsunoda had to pit a third time after a front wing end plate failed and Isack Hadjar was frustrated by Jack Doohan, who was given a 10-second time penalty for forcing his rival off the track.

Haas enjoyed a welcome turnaround in pace following their poor start to the weekend in Australia. Esteban Ocon took seventh while Oliver Bearman, one of few drivers to start the race on the hard tyres, passed a string of rivals on his way to the final point.

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They were separated by Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who lost time when Tsunoda jumped ahead of him when they pitted, and Alexander Albon, who briefly led the race on his birthday by running a long first stint on the medium compound.

Fernando Alonso was the only driver to retire from the race as he suffered a brake fire in the early stages. His team mate Lance Stroll ran the longest first stint of all but eventually slipped back to 12th behind Pierre Gasly.

Liam Lawson started from the pit lane after qualifying last, but struggled to make progress and finished 15th, 20 seconds away from the points places.

Second place for Norris means he has increased his lead in the drivers’ championship to eight points over Verstappen. McLaren lead Mercedes by 29 points in the constructors’ standings.

Update: Official: Leclerc and Gasly disqualified over technical infringements

This article will be updated.

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