Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari Gain Momentum After Japanese Grand Prix Shake-up
Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari finally received a much-needed boost in the 2025 Formula 1 season following the Japanese Grand Prix, as both were promoted in the respective championship standings according to an official FIA announcement.
Ferrari, who had endured a rough start to the campaign, scoring just 17 points across the first three races, found themselves languishing in fifth place in the constructors’ standings. That poor run included a major setback in China, where both Charles Leclerc and Hamilton were disqualified after the main race due to technical infringements. However, the Scuderia has now made up some ground, thanks to strong performances at Suzuka.
Leclerc finished fourth in Japan, with Hamilton securing seventh place. These results helped Ferrari climb the constructors’ leaderboard, overtaking Williams and closing the gap to Red Bull. The official FIA classification confirmed their new position: fourth in the standings with 35 points. Meanwhile, both drivers also moved up individually in the drivers’ championship, reflecting a turnaround in form and fortune.
While Ferrari celebrated their rise, the Japanese Grand Prix was dominated by reigning world champion Max Verstappen. The Red Bull driver delivered a masterclass at Suzuka, successfully fending off both McLaren drivers—Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri—to take his second win of the season. The victory also brought Verstappen within just one point of Norris, the current championship leader.
McLaren continue to be the standout team of 2025 so far. With Norris leading the drivers’ standings on 62 points and Piastri now third with 49, the British outfit leads the constructors’ title race as well, sitting on 111 points. Piastri’s second podium of the year, finishing third in Japan, allowed him to leapfrog George Russell in the individual standings. However, Mercedes remain in second place in the team championship with 75 points, 36 behind McLaren.
The Mercedes pair—Russell and young talent Kimi Antonelli—have been consistent contributors. Russell holds fourth in the drivers’ rankings with 45 points, and Antonelli is fifth on 30, continuing to impress in his rookie season.
Following their solid showing in Japan, Ferrari’s Leclerc has moved up to sixth in the drivers’ championship with 20 points, just ahead of Williams’ Alex Albon, who has 18. Lewis Hamilton’s seventh-place finish was enough to bump him up to eighth with 15 points, giving Ferrari a much-needed morale lift heading into the European rounds.
Outside the top eight, Esteban Ocon sits in ninth with 10 points for Haas, tied with Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll. Nico Hulkenberg has brought Kick Sauber six points so far, while rookie Oliver Bearman has impressed with five points in his debut season with Haas. Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar has scored four points, while Yuki Tsunoda has contributed three for Red Bull’s sister team.
Carlos Sainz, now driving for Williams, has managed just a single point this season, a surprising downturn for the Spanish driver. Fernando Alonso, Pierre Gasly, Jack Doohan, Liam Lawson, and Gabriel Bortoleto are all yet to get off the mark, highlighting the growing competitiveness in the midfield and lower-end teams.
In terms of team rankings after the Japanese GP, McLaren lead comfortably with 111 points. Mercedes follow in second (75), ahead of Red Bull in third (61). Ferrari’s climb to fourth (35) puts them in a stronger position as the season progresses. Williams round out the top five with 19 points, while Haas (15), Aston Martin (10), Racing Bulls (7), Sauber (6), and Alpine (0) complete the order.
Meanwhile, the 2025 season has seen a key rule change that could alter team strategies significantly. The FIA has officially removed the bonus point for the fastest lap, a regulation that had been in place since 2019. Previously, drivers finishing in the top 10 could earn an extra point by recording the fastest lap—a rule that sometimes led to last-minute pit stops just to attempt a flyer on fresh tyres.
The tactic became a point of controversy in 2024, most notably during Daniel Ricciardo’s farewell race in Singapore. Despite finishing last, Ricciardo managed to claim the fastest lap, denying Norris the extra point and aiding Verstappen’s championship push in the process. Such moments led to questions about the sporting integrity of the rule, prompting its removal for 2025.
With the title battle intensifying and teams like Ferrari showing signs of resurgence, the next few races promise more drama and surprises. All eyes will be on whether Hamilton and Leclerc can maintain their upward trajectory, and if McLaren can fend off the pressure from Verstappen and the resurgent Mercedes outfit.
