Lando Norris Penalised by FIA While Tsunoda Struggles on Red Bull Debut at Japanese Grand Prix
The 2025 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka delivered no shortage of drama, as several drivers, including McLaren’s Lando Norris and Red Bull debutant Yuki Tsunoda, were hit with lap time deletions by the FIA. Despite the penalties, Norris still managed to finish in second place behind Max Verstappen, while Tsunoda experienced a challenging first race with the senior Red Bull team.
Lando Norris, who has been in exceptional form this season, continued to showcase his consistency by securing a second-place finish in Japan. Although he couldn’t quite match the pace of four-time world champion Max Verstappen, Norris did enough to retain his position at the top of the drivers’ championship standings. However, his pursuit of Verstappen throughout the race pushed him to the edge—literally.
In the closing stages of the 53-lap contest, Norris made one last attempt to close the gap to Verstappen. His determination led him to overcook the braking into the Turn 17 chicane on the final lap. Locked up and unable to make the corner properly, the Brit was forced to run off track, cutting the corner in the process. As a result, the FIA later confirmed that his final lap time had been officially deleted due to exceeding track limits.
The FIA released an official document post-race listing all the drivers whose lap times had been nullified for similar infractions during the event. Norris was among several names on the list, further highlighting how challenging the Suzuka circuit proved to be under race conditions. The high-speed corners and tight chicanes of the Japanese track left little room for error, and even top-tier drivers like Norris couldn’t escape unscathed.
It wasn’t just Norris who ran into trouble at the Turn 17 chicane. Yuki Tsunoda, making his long-anticipated debut for the main Red Bull team in front of a home crowd, also found himself on the wrong side of FIA scrutiny. Tsunoda had one of his lap times deleted mid-race for cutting the same corner. Though the penalty didn’t significantly alter his finishing position, it added to what was an already tough day for the young Japanese driver.
Tsunoda’s promotion to Red Bull came after the team chose to part ways with New Zealand’s Liam Lawson, who had only been given two races before being demoted back to the Racing Bulls, Red Bull’s sister team. With high expectations resting on his shoulders, Tsunoda entered the weekend eager to impress.
During practice, Tsunoda displayed decent pace, suggesting he could be competitive. However, qualifying didn’t go to plan, as he could only manage 15th on the timesheets. Fortunately for him, he was bumped up to 14th on the starting grid following a three-place penalty handed to Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz. In the race, Tsunoda managed to gain two positions and eventually finished 12th, just outside the points-paying positions.
While it was a bittersweet homecoming for Tsunoda, there were silver linings. His 12th-place finish was notably better than any other Red Bull driver—aside from Verstappen—has achieved in a main Grand Prix race since Sergio Perez secured 10th place at the 2024 Las Vegas GP. Although Tsunoda wasn’t able to contribute points to the team’s championship effort, outperforming his predecessor and showing glimpses of promise could be enough to keep him in the frame for future races.
Verstappen, on the other hand, was in a league of his own once again. Starting from pole, the Dutch driver led the race from start to finish, fending off pressure from Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri. His dominant performance reaffirmed his status as the driver to beat in 2025.
Despite Verstappen’s clear control of the race, McLaren’s strong showing with a double podium finish—Norris in second and Piastri in third—kept the championship battle alive. Norris’ ability to retain his championship lead, even after having his final lap deleted, underscores how consistent and competitive McLaren have been this season.
In conclusion, the Japanese Grand Prix was a tale of highs and lows. While Verstappen reigned supreme and Norris kept his championship hopes alive, the race also exposed the fine margins of modern Formula 1, where a single mistake can cost drivers crucial time. For Tsunoda, his Red Bull debut may not have produced points, but it offered valuable experience and a chance to prove he belongs among the elite.
As the F1 circus moves on to the next round, all eyes will be on whether Norris can maintain his lead and whether Tsunoda can build on his performance to cement his place in the main team. The battle at the top is heating up, and the rest of the grid is showing they won’t back down without a fight.
