F1 NATION: A first win of the year for Verstappen, but did McLaren miss a trick? It's our Japanese GP review

Suzuka played host to the third round of the 2025 F1 season, with Max Verstappen finally getting back to winning ways for Red Bull. He upset the form book to beat both McLaren cars in Japan, after grabbing a sensational pole position on Saturday that some believe was his best ever.

The F1 Nation crew are here to discuss the Dutchman's performance across a weekend where McLaren were expected to dominate, along with the papaya cars themselves and whether they missed a trick on strategy on Sunday.

READ MORE: ‘The best driver in the world currently’ – Horner lauds Verstappen after Japanese GP masterclass

Podcast host Tom Clarkson is joined by F1 TV presenter Laura Winter and former F1 race-winner Heikki Kovalainen to discuss all of that and more, as they mull over what the results from Japan might mean for the title races.

Christian Horner joins the team, as the Red Bull Team Principal gives his take on both Verstappen's victorious weekend and also how new boy Yuki Tsunoda got on in his first race in the RB21.

Speaking of Tsunoda, he is here too to give his take on how his home race went, as he came home outside the points. Liam Lawson, the man he replaced, also gives his take on his first race back with Racing Bulls while rookie team mate Isack Hadjar scored at the end of a highly impressive weekend.

There were also points for Kimi Antonelli who is quietly going about his business and Alex Albon, with Williams starting to really build some momentum towards the front of the midfield.

READ MORE: Hadjar delighted with ‘perfect race’ as rookie scores his first F1 points in Japan

To hear the latest on all the biggest talking points from the race weekend, hit go on the audio player above or click here to listen to the latest episode on your preferred podcasting platform.

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