F1 Drivers Standings | Verstappen just a point behind Norris after Japanese Grand Prix triumph

Max Verstappen has become a serious contender for the championship fight with a crucial win at the Japanese Grand Prix, closing the gap to Lando Norris to just one point in the Formula 1 standings.

After a weekend that began with doubts about Red Bull’s pace, Verstappen delivered a stunning pole on Saturday and followed it up with a flawless performance on Sunday. Despite pressure from the two McLaren drivers, Norris and Oscar Piastri, the Dutchman kept control of the race—only briefly giving up the lead during pit stops.

With this victory, Verstappen now sits just one point behind Norris in the title race, while Piastri, still very much in the mix, trails Verstappen by twelve points. In three races, the 2025 season has seen three different race winners.

Suzuka is the first race of the upcoming triple header. Next week, the Formula 1 circus rolls around to the Bahrain International Circuit, before finishing up in Jeddah for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

F1 Drivers' Standings after Japanese GP

1. Lando Norris - 62 points
2. Max Verstappen - 61 points
3. Oscar Piastri - 49 points
4. George Russell - 45 points
5. Kimi Antonelli - 30 points
6. Charles Leclerc - 20 points
7. Alex Albon - 18 points
8. Lewis Hamilton - 15 points
9. Esteban Ocon - 10 points
10. Lance Stroll - 10 points
11. Nico Hulkenberg - 6 points
12. Oliver Bearman - 5 points
13. Isack Hadjar - 4 points
14. Yuki Tsunoda - 3 points
15. Carlos Sainz - 1 point
16. Pierre Gasly
17. Fernando Alonso
18. Liam Lawson
19. Jack Doohan
20. Gabriel Bortoleto

This article was written in collaboration with Nicole Mulder

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