Round three of the Formula One World Championship sets up shop at Suzuka in Japan, one of the world's most famous race circuits! This circuit is drenched in rich Formula One history and motorsport heritage. Will the 2025 Grand Prix add to that incredible heritage?
Liam Lawson's welcome back to the Racing Bulls team as the paddock starts to set up for the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix. Image: Red Bull Content Pool / Getty Images
After two races, Lawson was dropped from the primary team, Red Bull Racing, back to Racing Bulls, where he completed the tail end of the 2024 season. According to Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner, this demotion was designed to "Encourage and build up Liam's confidence again". This comes after a brutal opening two rounds in Australia and China for the young Kiwi.
Laurent Mekies, Team Principal of Visa Cash App Racing Bulls and Liam Lawson. Image: Red Bull Content Pool / Getty Images
The news that the drivers would be swapping came swiftly after the conclusion of the Chinese Grand Prix. Whilst Red Bull are hardly washing their hands of the New Zealander, Lawson being switched for Tsunoda right before a track he has extensive experience at will have been a massive blow for Lawson.
With Lawson's loss comes Tsunoda's gain. The still young yet experienced Japanese driver has shown he is ready for the step up in the first two races of the 2025 season. But with how difficult and dramatic the RB21 is proving to be, even for number one driver Max Verstappen, can Tsunoda keep a hold on that second Red Bull seat until the end of the year?
An ex-Red Bull driver who was drafted into the primary team under very similar circumstances is Tsunoda's ex-teammate, Pierre Gasly. He had this to say on Tsunoda's opportunity at Red Bull:
Yuki Tsunoda of Japan in a Honda RA272. Image: Red Bull Content Pool / Getty Images
The first half of the season will be to win a year's worth of Premium membership here on OverTake.gg, and the second half of the season will award you something extra special!
If you are not aware of how the Guess The Podium game works here on OverTake, do not fear! Our fantastic community manager, @Christopher E, has created an easy-to-read graphic with a short explanation that you can find above.
Ten points will be awarded for guessing the correct position and the correct name, and five points will be awarded for guessing the correct name but the wrong position. As mentioned before, at the halfway point of the season, we will award the overall winner one year of Premium membership here on OverTake!
VOTE IN THE FORUM THREAD HERE!
If you have any questions, please ask in the comments below!
Christopher E - Community Manager
Arriving in Japan, Norris sits pretty atop the Drivers Championship Standings on a strong 44 points, from Red Bull's Max Verstappen on 36, despite the RB21 making it as hard as possible. Mercedes' George Russell is right on the tail of the defending Champion on 35 and Piastri on an undeserving 34 due to the late-race drama on home soil for the Aussie driver.
McLaren's team celebrations after the 1-2 at Round 2 in China. Image: Formula One
Given that both McLaren drivers have had a strong start to the season, the logical thought process is that Norris and Piastri will be fighting tooth and nail for that top spot in Suzuka, a race neither driver has won previously. With the championship fight starting to pan out already, this is what the British driver, Lando Norris, had to say when talking to F1.com about fighting with his teammate, Piastri.
Who are you supporting this weekend? Let us know in the poll above and in the comments below your thoughts on the Tsunoda and Lawson swap!
The Red Bull Fiasco
Heading into this weekend, the headlines have been full of Red Bull and Racing Bulls, specifically with their driver swap with Yuki Tsunoda taking Liam Lawson's place at Red Bull after just two races in 2025. The young Kiwi is keen to prove he still belongs in Formula One, and Tsunoda is jumping at the chance to prove he has what it takes in his fifth year in Formula One, but his first out of the Red Bull junior team.Liam Lawson's welcome back to the Racing Bulls team as the paddock starts to set up for the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix. Image: Red Bull Content Pool / Getty Images
After two races, Lawson was dropped from the primary team, Red Bull Racing, back to Racing Bulls, where he completed the tail end of the 2024 season. According to Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner, this demotion was designed to "Encourage and build up Liam's confidence again". This comes after a brutal opening two rounds in Australia and China for the young Kiwi.
Laurent Mekies, Team Principal of Visa Cash App Racing Bulls and Liam Lawson. Image: Red Bull Content Pool / Getty Images
The news that the drivers would be swapping came swiftly after the conclusion of the Chinese Grand Prix. Whilst Red Bull are hardly washing their hands of the New Zealander, Lawson being switched for Tsunoda right before a track he has extensive experience at will have been a massive blow for Lawson.
With Lawson's loss comes Tsunoda's gain. The still young yet experienced Japanese driver has shown he is ready for the step up in the first two races of the 2025 season. But with how difficult and dramatic the RB21 is proving to be, even for number one driver Max Verstappen, can Tsunoda keep a hold on that second Red Bull seat until the end of the year?
An ex-Red Bull driver who was drafted into the primary team under very similar circumstances is Tsunoda's ex-teammate, Pierre Gasly. He had this to say on Tsunoda's opportunity at Red Bull:
Yuki Tsunoda of Japan in a Honda RA272. Image: Red Bull Content Pool / Getty Images
Podium Prediction Game
If you haven't seen it over the last few weeks, the 'Guess The Podium' game is here to stay for 2025! But this time, with a few minor changes. This year, we will split the game in half at the annual summer break, meaning there will be two sets of prizes up for grabs, with two separate prizes.The first half of the season will be to win a year's worth of Premium membership here on OverTake.gg, and the second half of the season will award you something extra special!
If you are not aware of how the Guess The Podium game works here on OverTake, do not fear! Our fantastic community manager, @Christopher E, has created an easy-to-read graphic with a short explanation that you can find above.
Ten points will be awarded for guessing the correct position and the correct name, and five points will be awarded for guessing the correct name but the wrong position. As mentioned before, at the halfway point of the season, we will award the overall winner one year of Premium membership here on OverTake!
VOTE IN THE FORUM THREAD HERE!
If you have any questions, please ask in the comments below!
Christopher E - Community Manager
McLaren Searching for Third Consecutive Victory in Japan
It was Lando Norris in Melbourne and Oscar Piastri in Shanghai; can McLaren do it again and make it three wins in a row? The papaya drivers will certainly hope so. With all the attention on the Lawson and Tsunoda drama, could we see McLaren clear off into the distance?Arriving in Japan, Norris sits pretty atop the Drivers Championship Standings on a strong 44 points, from Red Bull's Max Verstappen on 36, despite the RB21 making it as hard as possible. Mercedes' George Russell is right on the tail of the defending Champion on 35 and Piastri on an undeserving 34 due to the late-race drama on home soil for the Aussie driver.
McLaren's team celebrations after the 1-2 at Round 2 in China. Image: Formula One
Given that both McLaren drivers have had a strong start to the season, the logical thought process is that Norris and Piastri will be fighting tooth and nail for that top spot in Suzuka, a race neither driver has won previously. With the championship fight starting to pan out already, this is what the British driver, Lando Norris, had to say when talking to F1.com about fighting with his teammate, Piastri.
When to Watch the Japanese Grand Prix
Another early start for fans across Europe, the Japanese Grand Prix session times are subject to Formula One's official event timetable and are subject to change in the event of delays or unpredictable circumstances.| Date | Session | Start Time (UTC) |
|---|---|---|
| 4th April | Practice 1 | 04:30 - 05:30 |
| 4th April | Practice 2 | 08:00 - 09:00 |
| 5th April | Practice 3 | 04:30 - 05:30 |
| 5th April | Qualifying | 08:00 - 09:00 |
| 6th April | Grand Prix | 07:00 |
Who are you supporting this weekend? Let us know in the poll above and in the comments below your thoughts on the Tsunoda and Lawson swap!
