After an exciting start to the Formula 1 season with drama both on and off the track, the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka is next up. Let`s delve into the main topics as we head into round three…

Norris vs Piastri to Present McLaren Team Challenge

Two races, two wins for McLaren. It`s clear after pre-season testing and the first two races of F1 2025 that McLaren has a very fast car and is the team to beat, despite their attempts to downplay expectations.

The reigning constructors` champions have started the season with consecutive wins for the first time since 2003. They could have even had two 1-2 finishes if not for Oscar Piastri`s costly spin in the Melbourne rain.

However, Piastri responded strongly in Shanghai, outperforming Lando Norris during the Sprint weekend and closing the gap to his teammate in the early title race to just 10 points from 13.

Max Verstappen and George Russell are currently positioned between the McLaren drivers in the standings, but it appears Norris and Piastri are the ones who will be in contention for the championship throughout the season.

With both Norris and Piastri securing a win each, questions are arising about how they and McLaren will manage a situation where both drivers are competing for the drivers` championship as the season progresses and pressure increases.

Norris mentioned after the race that they were `nervous but excited` about this possibility. Team principal Andrea Stella acknowledged they have been preparing for this scenario for a while but will need to adapt as situations unfold.

`Like everything in Formula 1, it would be arrogant to assume we are fully ready,` Stella stated. `You learn as you go because the situations are complex and constantly evolving. We will continue to learn and adapt in team management, just as we do with performance, reliability, and operations.`

Another close battle between the two McLaren drivers is expected at Suzuka, a circuit where McLaren has performed well in the past even when Red Bull was the dominant team. The upcoming races in Japan, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia will give us a better understanding of which other teams can keep pace with McLaren.

Red Bull`s Unanswered Driver Swap Questions

While McLaren might view managing two title contenders as a positive challenge, Red Bull is facing more immediate and pressing issues.

The first issue revolves around improving the pace and handling of their RB21 car. The second is addressing the performance of the driver in their second seat.

After just two challenging weekends for Liam Lawson, Red Bull`s confidence in him as the next driver to step up has diminished. Yuki Tsunoda has been promoted, a decision many believed should have happened earlier given Sergio Perez`s struggles in recent months.

Red Bull`s driver change after China was sudden and surprising. It will be interesting to hear from Tsunoda, Lawson, and team boss Christian Horner in person at Suzuka this weekend.

Verstappen`s perspective will also be highly anticipated. His `like` on a critical Instagram post about the driver swap suggests he might not be entirely happy with the situation.

Is his potential displeasure due to Lawson not being given more time, or does the constant change of teammate create instability when the focus should be on developing a better car for both drivers?

Furthermore, what does this driver swap mean for Verstappen`s future with the team? These are all intriguing questions that we hope to get answers to this week.

Ferrari Needs a Strong Weekend

Despite rivals highlighting their potential, Ferrari`s season start has been underwhelming compared to pre-season expectations. They need a strong weekend at Suzuka to reignite their title aspirations.

Ferrari was central to the major news from round two for contrasting reasons: Lewis Hamilton`s victory in the Saturday Sprint race and the subsequent double disqualification from Sunday`s Grand Prix, removing both him and Charles Leclerc from the final classification.

The embarrassment of a double DSQ for technical infringements – a first in Ferrari`s 75-year world championship history – was compounded by the fact that their fifth and sixth-place finishes already indicated a disappointing race.

Hamilton was the only top-six driver to make two pit stops for tires. While Leclerc showed better pace after a team order to swap positions, his improved speed was somewhat puzzling considering he had a damaged front wing from contact in the opening corners.

Leclerc was eventually overtaken by Verstappen for fourth and finished 23 seconds behind race winner Piastri before his disqualification for being underweight.

The double exclusion cost Ferrari 18 points, dropping them behind Williams to fifth in the standings and leaving them a significant 61 points behind leaders McLaren.

Team boss Fred Vasseur, speaking before the disqualifications were announced, emphasized that it was too early in the season to panic.

Vasseur highlighted Leclerc`s promising race, the tire inconsistency affecting all top teams in China, and the need to consistently maximize the SF-25`s performance.

`I think the gap to McLaren is similar to our gap to Red Bull last year when they achieved 1-2 finishes in the first two races,` Vasseur noted.

`If we recall the press conference after race two last year, the question was whether Red Bull would be champions by June.

`We need to take things with perspective. McLaren is strong and performing well, clearly a step ahead, but the championship is far from over.`

While Vasseur`s points are valid, Ferrari cannot afford many more disappointing weekends if they want to stay in contention with McLaren.

Suzuka: A Timeless Driver`s Challenge

The Japanese Grand Prix at the iconic Suzuka circuit might be scheduled at a different time of year compared to when it hosted many famous title deciders, but drivers consistently emphasize that Suzuka is a fantastic track to drive on regardless of the season.

F1 now races in Japan during cherry blossom season (sakura), adding to the allure of the annual visit.

Remarkably, the 3.6-mile, 18-turn layout has remained largely unchanged since F1 first raced at Suzuka in 1987.

While some aspects of Spa-Francorchamps, another driver favorite, have become less challenging due to modern F1 car evolution, Suzuka remains a true test of speed and precision. The Esses, Degners, Spoon, and 130R are just a few of the high-speed sections that make Suzuka a world-class racing circuit.

Monaco`s tight street circuit might be considered the ultimate test for drivers in low-fuel qualifying, but onboard footage from Verstappen`s pole lap last year at Suzuka shows it is a close second.

It`s worth waking up early to watch qualifying at 7 am on Saturday and the 53-lap Grand Prix at 6 am on Sunday!

Sky Sports F1`s Live Japanese GP Schedule

Thursday April 3

  • 5am: Drivers` Press Conference

Friday April 4

  • 3am: Japanese GP Practice One (session starts at 3.30am)*
  • 5.30am: Team Principals` Press Conference
  • 6.45am: Japanese GP Practice Two (session starts at 7am)*
  • 8.15am: The F1 Show*

Saturday April 5

  • 3.15am: Japanese GP Practice Three (session starts at 3.30am)*
  • 6am: Japanese GP Qualifying build-up*
  • 7am: Japanese GP Qualifying*
  • 9am: Ted`s Qualifying Notebook*

Sunday April 6

  • 4.30am: Japanese GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
  • 6am: THE JAPANESE GRAND PRIX*
  • 8am: Japanese GP reaction: Chequered Flag*
  • 9am: Ted`s Notebook*

*also live on Sky Sports Main Event

Formula 1 heads to the iconic Suzuka Circuit for the Japanese Grand Prix on April 4-6.