SUZUKA, Japan (AP) — Max Verstappen is back. With only two victories in his last 16 races and in a “mini-slump,” the four-time world champion shocked himself, his Red Bull team and fans by taking pole position for Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen of Red Bull has won the Japanese Grand Prix and broken a “mini-slump” of only two wins in his previous 16 races

Formula 1 arrived in Japan for its third race weekend of the 2025 season, and while the Japanese Grand Prix didn't feature much passing, the race up front was close. Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and Oscar Piastri were under a three-second blanket for most of the event,