Max Verstappen gave no chance to his rivals and showcased his love for the Japanese Grand Prix by winning his first race of the season in F1… becoming the first driver in history to win this GP for four consecutive years. Behind him was Lando Norris and his McLaren, who many believe may have started a war with the Dutch driver after the incident they had in the pit lane.

The incident between Norris and Verstappen in Japan

The events took place on lap 22, when both drivers decided it was the right moment to make a pit stop. That was when Verstappen emerged ahead of Norris, who tried to overtake him… and had to make a maneuver to avoid a collision with the Dutch driver, which could have led to worse consequences than the second place he ultimately secured in Japan.

During the race, with both drivers still on track, F1 stewards reviewed the incident in detail to decide whether any kind of penalty should be imposed. However, they eventually chose not to take any action, as Norris tried to come out in the same position as Verstappen… although the Red Bull mechanics were quicker in changing their tires.

Verstappen now appears in Norris’ rearview mirror

The anticipation remained until the end of the race, waiting for a response from Lando Norris. But despite criticizing Verstappen’s attitude, he didn’t want to escalate the situation: “I think that’s just racing. Max (Verstappen) is the last driver I expect to give me space… in a good way. So that’s all I have to say.”

Measured comments that showed his frustration at finishing the Japanese GP in second place. Especially because, with this first win by Verstappen, the British driver is still leading the 2025 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship… but now just one point ahead of the four-time world champion. We’ll see, therefore, if any changes happen in the Bahrain race. Every detail makes a difference.