{"id":32248,"date":"2025-04-02T13:09:54","date_gmt":"2025-04-02T17:09:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/?p=32248"},"modified":"2025-04-02T13:14:35","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T17:14:35","slug":"2025-f1-japanese-grand-prix-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2025\/04\/02\/2025-f1-japanese-grand-prix-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 F1: Japanese Grand Prix Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Round 3 of the 2025 season takes us to the Japanese Grand Prix. All eyes are on home-race hero Yuki Tsunoda, who makes his Red Bull debut.<\/p>\n<h2>Tsunoda&#8217;s Big Debut and All Eyes on McLaren: Everything You Need to Know Heading to Suzuka<\/h2>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">As <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2025\/03\/23\/mclaren-at-the-chinese-gp-a-dominant-1-2-finish\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">McLaren<\/a> leads the way with back-to-back victories, the chasing pack is determined to close the gap.<\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2025\/04\/01\/ferrari-prepare-first-upgrade-package-of-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Ferrari<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2025\/03\/31\/are-mercedes-poised-to-take-f1-by-storm-in-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Mercedes<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2025\/03\/31\/max-verstappen-exit-clauses-put-red-bull-under-pressure\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Red Bull<\/a> all have their sights set on victory. However, each faces its own set of challenges.<\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Meanwhile, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.formula1.com\/en\/latest\/article\/yuki-tsunoda-red-bull-promotion-max-verstappen-japanese-grand-prix-2025.53NmPj8umsoW9L0aKaVreX\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Yuki Tsunoda<\/a>\u2019s Red Bull promotion adds an extra layer of excitement, with the home hero eager to impress in front of his fans.<\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">With the championship battle heating up, all eyes are on Suzuka to see who will emerge victorious in this pivotal <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2025\/04\/01\/f1-history-of-the-japanese-grand-prix\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">race weekend<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Tsunoda&#8217;s Big Opportunity<\/h3>\n<p>Tsunoda\u2019s promotion to Red Bull is the biggest story heading into the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-media-max-width=\"560\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Up for the challenge \ud83d\udcaa<\/p>\n<p>Yuki wants to embrace the pressure as he prepares to make his debut for the senior team at his home Grand Prix this weekend \ud83d\ude0f<a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/F1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#F1<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/JapaneseGP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#JapaneseGP<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/UdFrwxtrCa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/UdFrwxtrCa<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Formula 1 (@F1) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/F1\/status\/1907472265052303814?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">April 2, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">The decision, made after just two rounds, sees the Japanese driver replace Liam Lawson and partner Verstappen for the rest of the season.<\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">In Tsunoda&#8217;s fifth F1 season, he has finally received the chance to prove his worth in a top team. However, it will not be an easy transition.<\/p>\n<p>The RB21 has proven difficult to handle, as both Lawson and former Red Bull driver Sergio Perez have experienced. Even Verstappen has struggled at times.<\/p>\n<p>However, there were positive signs in China. Verstappen\u2019s pace improved significantly in the final stint, hinting that Red Bull may be making progress with their car.<\/p>\n<p>Tsunoda will be hoping to capitalise on this and get up to speed quickly. With the home crowd behind him, expect plenty of support for Japan\u2019s newest Red Bull driver.<\/p>\n<h3>How Will Lawson Respond?<\/h3>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Lawson\u2019s tough start to the season has seen him return to Racing Bulls, the team where he previously impressed. Now, he has the chance to prove himself once more.<\/p>\n<p>Verstappen himself noted in China that the Racing Bulls car is more predictable than the RB21, suggesting that Lawson could find himself more competitive.<\/p>\n<p>He will be eager to bounce back and regain his confidence, but adapting to the car quickly will be key, especially at Suzuka, a track the Kiwi knows well.<\/p>\n<p><strong>READ MORE:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2025\/04\/02\/liam-lawson-i-didnt-have-enough-time-at-red-bull\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Liam Lawson: \u201cI Didn\u2019t Have Enough Time\u201d at Red Bull<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Can Ferrari Recover?<\/h3>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">A mix of inconsistent performances and the China double disqualification has left Ferrari fifth in the Constructors\u2019 Championship. The Scuderia are level on points with Williams.<\/p>\n<p>Amidst the lacklustre start, there have been moments of promise. Hamilton\u2019s Sprint win in Shanghai is the standout, but the team needs to start scoring big points consistently.<\/p>\n<p>With McLaren already 61 points ahead, Ferrari cannot afford another weekend of missed opportunities.<\/p>\n<h3>Is McLaren Heading Towards a Driver Battle?<\/h3>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Unlike other teams, McLaren has no driver changes to manage, but they do have a potential intra-team rivalry developing.<\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Norris and Piastri have won a race apiece in 2025. With a car as strong as the MCL39, they could be heading for a season-long battle.<\/p>\n<p>Looking back to 2024, Norris experienced a strong qualifying performance that translated into a top-five finish.<\/p>\n<p>Piastri, on the other hand, has made significant strides in his development.<\/p>\n<p>With both drivers eager, the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix weekend could see the two McLaren drivers go head-to-head for victory.<\/p>\n<p><strong>YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2025\/04\/02\/rising-starts-to-watch-out-for-in-the-the-junior-series\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Rising Starts To Watch Out For In the The Junior Series<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>The Weekend Awaits<\/h3>\n<p>The 2025 Japanese Grand Prix promises to be a thriller.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-media-max-width=\"560\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"in\">Suzuka \ud83c\udfa1\ud83e\udd29<a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/F1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#F1<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/JapaneseGP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#JapaneseGP<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/wpe2CFunUt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/wpe2CFunUt<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Formula 1 (@F1) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/F1\/status\/1906749580903063657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">March 31, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">McLaren may be favourites, but with Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull all looking to close the gap, we could be in for a four-way fight at the front.<\/p>\n<p>Add in the excitement of Tsunoda\u2019s homecoming, the battle between Norris and Piastri, and the fightback attempts from Ferrari and Lawson, and there is no shortage of drama in store.<\/p>\n<p>Suzuka rarely disappoints. This year should be no exception.<\/p>\n<p><strong>READ NEXT:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2025\/04\/02\/tsunoda-not-intimidated-by-different-rb21-after-first-indications\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Tsunoda Not Intimidated by \u201cDifferent\u201d RB21 After First Indications<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Main Photo<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Credit:<strong> IMAGO \/ HochZwei<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Recording Date: 07.04.2024<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Round 3 of the 2025 season takes us to the Japanese Grand Prix. All eyes are on home-race hero Yuki Tsunoda, who makes his Red Bull debut. Tsunoda&#8217;s Big Debut and All Eyes on McLaren: Everything You Need to Know Heading to Suzuka As McLaren leads the way with back-to-back victories, the chasing pack is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5233,"featured_media":32297,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2,4],"tags":[2452,234,240],"class_list":["post-32248","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-formula-1","tag-f1-2025-season","tag-japanese-grand-prix","tag-suzuka-circuit"],"modified_by":"Emma Fisher","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32248","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5233"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32248"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32248\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32301,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32248\/revisions\/32301"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32297"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32248"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32248"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32248"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}