McLaren Shines with Double Podium Finish at the Japanese GP, Eyes on Bahrain Showdown
F1 fans! The 2025 Japanese Grand Prix just went down, and it was electric. McLaren’s dynamic duo, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, went to war on the legendary Suzuka circuit, with the Papaya Boys proving they’re here to stay. The result? A fierce double podium that solidified their spot as one of the teams to beat this season.
The race kicked off with pure intensity—Lando and Oscar both made flawless starts, holding their ground on the opening lap. Oscar, showing some serious strategy smarts, pitted early to slap on the hard tires. Meanwhile, Lando and Max Verstappen dove into the pit lane at the same time, both making the switch to hard tires in a battle that stayed razor-close.
From there, the pace was relentless. The McLaren duo locked down positions just behind the leader, keeping things tight throughout. The result? Lando snagged P2, and Oscar battled to P3—back-to-back podiums for the team. No doubt, this pushes McLaren even further ahead in the Constructors' Championship. With Bahrain on the horizon, McLaren is locked and loaded, and if you think they’re done, think again.
Lando Norris: Flat-out, But Max Was Too Good
"Yeah, it was a tough race," Lando said post-race. "We were flat-out from start to finish, but the pace was so similar that there wasn’t much we could do. Max drove a solid race—no mistakes. Honestly, qualifying positions were the key today. But hey, it’s been a great weekend for the team. We’re leaving Japan with more points, and that’s what counts as we head into Bahrain."
Oscar Piastri: A Solid Podium, but Eyes on the Top Step
"Today, the pace was awesome, and I’m really happy with that. There were a couple of moments where I almost had a go for the overtake, but track position here is so crucial. Yesterday was probably where we lost it—missed pole by just milliseconds. Still, I’ll take the podium and move on. Bahrain, here we come, and we’re bringing the heat."
Andrea Stella: A Solid Step Forward, But We Want More
"Double podiums are always a positive, but we know victory was within our reach. Missing out on pole hurt us, and the qualifying order really defined the outcome. It was a one-stop race with minimal strategy options, but we’ve still scored some major points in both Championships. Our team nailed this weekend, and we're already looking forward to Bahrain."