After dominating Australia and China, McLaren was the favourite for this Suzuka weekend. Yet, mistakes and poor strategy calls saw victory slip away and fall into Max Verstappen’s hands.<\/p>\n
We are three rounds into the 2025 F1 season, and McLaren has led both the Drivers and Constructors Championships from the beginning. Naturally, the British team were the favourites heading to Japan, where they were expected to dominate the weekend.<\/p>\n
The weekend began strongly for McLaren in Suzuka.<\/p>\n
Throughout each of the free practice sessions on Friday, the Woking team led the way, confirming the season’s first races were not a fluke.<\/p>\n
Lando Norris dominated FP1 with a time of 1:28.549, ahead of George Russell and Charles Leclerc<\/a>.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, Oscar Piastri highlighted where the team could improve, finishing in fifteenth place with a time of 1:29.708.<\/p>\n FP2, however, was much more eventful. Four red flags interrupted the session, including an accident for Jack Doohan and a fire caused by sparks from the single-seaters.<\/p>\n Despite these interruptions, Piastri set the fastest time with a 1:28.114, showing much-needed improvement and feeling for the Suzuka track.<\/p>\n Norris also shone, finishing second ahead of Isack Hadjar.<\/p>\n Overall, the free practice sessions confirmed what many believed: McLaren<\/a> had a competitive package for the weekend.<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Mercedes Chase McLaren as Red Bull Face Oversteer and Oversteer<\/a><\/p>\n During qualifying on Saturday, the competition got closer.<\/p>\n Despite McLaren taking Suzuka by storm, Max Verstappen’s Red Bull clinched pole position at the last moment.<\/p>\n Norris placed second, while Piastri closed in on third. It was all to play for during the race.<\/p>\n Speaking to F1, Norris said:<\/p>\n “I dipped a wheel on the exit of 7, and 7 is the last place you want to make a mistake<\/em><\/p>\n “It was just a couple of little mistakes and it shows how easy it is to lose lap time.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n When fighting for either the Drivers or the Constructors’ Championship, mistakes should be few and far between.<\/p>\n McLaren has a lot to work on after leaving Suzuka to ensure they set themselves up for an easy Grand Prix.<\/p>\n YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:<\/strong> Brandon Jones Bests Cup Stars to Win Xfinity Series Race at Darlington<\/a><\/p>\n Despite a back-to-back double podium for McLaren in Suzuka, the race highlighted further issues for team to work on.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a back-to-back double podium for team papaya \ud83c\udfc6\ud83c\udfc6#McLaren<\/a> | #JapaneseGP<\/a> \ud83c\uddef\ud83c\uddf5 pic.twitter.com\/HuYi2bcOTz<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 McLaren (@McLarenF1) April 6, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nSaturday: Bitter Qualifying for McLaren<\/h3>\n
Sunday: A 2-3 Finish<\/h3>\n
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