On Sunday, Max Verstappen seemingly effortlessly won the Japanese Grand Prix. With his first victory in the 2025 anniversary season, the four-time world champion has closed the gap to title rival Lando Norris to just one point. The international media relished another masterclass from Verstappen, who – during a somewhat dull race – once again proved that he is the best driver of the moment.
Even the British press could not ignore Max Verstappen after his flawless victory in Japan. Rival Lando Norris failed to overtake him for 53 laps. At one point, it seemed he might pass him in the pit lane, but after a brief detour onto the grass, Norris once again settled for second place. “Verstappen has been doing the most extraordinary things for years, but the fact that he kept the ostensibly faster McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri behind him was surprising to everyone,” states The Daily Mail.
“The best driver of his generation leaves nothing to chance,” the report continues. “Even when his car is far from the fastest, even when he doesn’t have a teammate driving in the same regions to support him,” the British conclude. “This was a Max Masterclass.” Moreover, Verstappen’s victory in Japan is said to have fired ‘a warning shot’. Amid all the reports about McLaren’s alleged dominance, the Dutchman has proven that we should never rule him out for the title.”
‘Verstappen is a Monster’
Marca also published a tribute to Verstappen. “A monster,” is how the Spaniards dubbed the Dutch winner. “Max achieved a majestic victory in Japan. He didn’t have the fastest car over one lap, nor the best race speed, but he outperformed the much faster McLarens in all aspects. For Verstappen, the challenge was to keep the RB21 in first place. Remarkably, with a car that others wouldn’t finish higher than P5. That’s the power of a four-time champion.”
At La Gazzetta Dello Sport, a similar sentiment is echoed. Verstappen ‘made the most’ of the first starting position. “On Saturday, he already drove a lap of a real champion,” says the Italian editor on duty. “The Dutchman capitalized on his pole position with a race in which he, in an inferior car, had the power and class to outperform McLaren.”
‘Lucky Break for Verstappen’
Only our Eastern neighbors voiced a very different opinion. According to the German BILD, it almost went wrong in the 21st lap when Verstappen and Norris narrowly avoided a collision in the pit lane. The Germans were waiting for a penalty for the Dutch Red Bull driver. “Verstappen pushes him off the track, Norris’ car ends up in the verge and the Brit loses time.” An ‘aggressive’ action, according to BILD.
Furthermore, the Germans believe that Oscar Piastri could have posed a threat to Verstappen. The Australian finished third, but seemed – especially in the final phase – faster than Norris. Yet, the team management did not enforce a switch. “Why did McLaren do that?” BILD reacts. “A lucky break for Verstappen, who wins for the fourth time in a row in Japan and reduces the gap to Norris in the championship to one point.”
