Speeding into Suzuka: What to Expect in Japan

After a double-header to kick off the 2025 season, the third race of the year is set to begin in Japan. The Chinese Grand Prix left a lot to be expected for upcoming races, and Japan will set the tone regarding the direction of the season.

Only two races in and driver swaps have already been made. It was announced ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix that Yuki Tsunoda will finally debut in Red Bull. Liam Lawson failed to perform in the season's first two races and has been demoted to Racing Bulls for the foreseeable future.

Tsunoda and Lawson have switched seats only two races into the 2025 season. Courtesy of Formula1.com.

There are many questions regarding this decision. Most importantly, if the ongoing second driver issue in Red Bull has anything to do with the driver himself, or the car. No driver has been up to par with the team’s expectations, with Tsunoda being the third driver in the seat in the last year. 

Despite the controversy surrounding the switch, it will be a big weekend for the Japanese driver. Debuting in the team he’s been working towards for years at his home race is a huge accomplishment, but it also puts major pressure on him to perform well to keep the seat.

Suzuka is a popular circuit on the calendar, with high speeds and its iconic S-curves at sector one. The track is a favorite of many drivers, but what’s more important is which cars are suitable for the tricky circuit.

The circuit joined the Formula 1 Calendar for the first time in 1987 and became a permanent host of the Japanese Grand Prix in 2009. It is set to continue into at least 2029, so fans of the track can expect many more years of racing at the iconic circuit.

Red Bull and Ferrari are typically the teams with the most suitable cars for this track. However, McLaren’s dominance in the first two races could continue in Japan.

Red Bull managed a 1-2 finish during last year’s Grand Prix, but with a new driver coming in and the RB20 long gone, they might not be able to replicate their results.

Despite a dominant race in Japan in 2024, Red Bull may not have the same success this year. Courtesy of Red Bull Content Pool/Getty Images.

Following a double disqualification for both drivers, Ferrari will have a lot to make up for. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton are no strangers to success, and despite a few unlucky races, they have ample opportunities to come back stronger this season.

Lando Norris currently leads the driver standings, and a win in Japan could give him a significant gap ahead of his competitors. With multiple years of the top three teams dominating the sport, it’s a big moment to see McLaren’s rise from the midfield to the top step. 

Papaya has been on top in 2025, with both McLaren drivers finding success in different races. Courtesy of Rnz.co.nz.

However, instead of other teams, Norris may need to worry about his teammate. The two McLaren drivers have been the only ones to make it to the top step in 2025, and their battle could be a huge storyline for the rest of the season.

The midfield teams have a lot to fight for, as the gap is still extremely close after two races. Even a small number of points can completely shake up the order in the team standings. 

As it is officially race week in Japan, all of these storylines and predictions are on the betting table. The weekend will kick off on April 4 with Free Practice 1 at Suzuka.

Edited by Reese Dlabach