Ranking the top 10 best and worst drivers at the 2025 F1 Japanese Grand Prix

The F1 2025 Japanese Grand Prix is over, with Max Verstappen winning the race for the fourth time in a row. He now equals his Red Bull team's former driver Sebastian Vettel’s record of four wins. The Suzuka circuit is a driver's track, and we now have the best driver on the 2025 grid winning the race.

The fan's favorite track gave one of the most boring races of the season. But still, some drivers managed to use it to their advantage. And some other drivers couldn't perform 100% to their potential due to some issues with their car or team strategy. In this article, let us see who are all the top 10 best and worst F1 drivers are at the Suzuka GP.

Ranking the 2025 Japanese GP Best and the worst drivers 

Top 10 best drivers of the 2025 Japanese GP

Max Verstappen:

He is the best driver on the grid, and with a car that is too tricky to drive, he finished in the pole position. This is nearly a superhuman effort by the Dutchman. And nobody can keep him out of the competition. 

2. Kimi Antonelli:

After Max, Kimi Antonelli was the best driver at the Japanese Grand Prix. After struggling all weekend, he performed when it needed the most. Kimi is the driver of the day, according to many, and his fastest lap proves that.

3. Lando Norris:

The McLaren driver could have done more, and a little bit more aggressive driving could have helped him and his team. But overall, a good race weekend for him.

4. Oscar Piastri:

The Australian driver was quicker than his teammate, but he decided to stick with his team's strategy and finished in P3. It would have been so nice if he had won the Japanese Grand Prix on his birthday. 

5. Charles Leclerc:

Once again, Leclerc proved that he is a team player by keeping George Russell behind him throughout the race. We expect Ferrari to sort out their floor issues in the next two races.

6. George Russell:

The Mercedes number one man, with all his experience, kept it clean. The double points finish at the Japanese GP will boost his confidence level to do well in the next race.

7. Lewis Hamilton:

Overall, quiet race for the seven-time world champion. This was not what he expected at Ferrari, but he is confident in his team’s ability and will soon see him racing with the top teams.

8. Isack Hadjar:

After two heartbreaks, the young rookie scored his first-ever F1 points at Suzuka. Red Bull expects him to do this more often, and there is more to come. 

9. Oliver Bearman:

Finishing in P10 with the slowest car was heroic, and Bearman made it possible for his team and credited for his driving and calmness. 

10. Alex Albon:

The Williams driver was fantastic with his driving and finished in P9. But with his race start, he should have finished one or two places above. His team strategy and the traffic led him to underperform. 

Also Read: F1 2025 Japanese Grand Prix Race Results: Max Verstappen wins in Suzuka for the fourth time

Top 10 worst drivers of the Japanese GP

10. Fernando Alonso:

The veteran tried very hard to get into the top 10, but the tricky Suzuka circuit and the traffic ahead of him didn't allow him to get inside the points table.

9. Pierre Gasly:

Alpine’s underrated gem. Pierre Gasly failed to score points for three races in a row, which is very unusual. The track is well suited for the best drivers, and if he had shown some aggression with his racing, it would have helped him get into the top 10.

8. Yuki Tsunoda:

The Japanese driver failed to perform in his home race. He missed out in the qualifiers, which cost him during the race. But compared with Lawson, he did well with the P12 result. If Yuki had finished inside the points table, Red Bull would have been doubly happy.

7. Carlos Sainz:

The initial penalty he received after the qualifiers has cost him. With the heavy traffic, it is too difficult to go quickly. But his team strategy could have been better for him.

6. Jack Doohan:

After the crash he suffered during practice 3, the australian driver did a great job to coming back to racing. But like his teammate Gasly, he didn't have the chance to get ahead of the traffic. 

5. Nico Hulkenberg:

The Kick Sauber car was undrivable, and the German driver got no chance against the other mid-field teams. His car was too slow, but he finished well.

4. Liam Lawson:

The end could have been better after his pit stop, but Lawson let his rivals, Sainz, and Doohan move ahead of him. But he will find his confidence, because now he is under less pressure. 

3. Esteban Ocon:

Haas's F1 car wasn't the fastest, but his teammate Oliver Bearman showed grit to race against the rest of the midfield. But Ocon didn’t deliver the best for his team.

2. Gabriel Bortoleto:

The 2024 F2 champion was nowhere to be found during the race. His car kept him low and slow, but we hope the future Audi team will bring some upgrades before the Bahrain GP.

1. Lance Stroll:

The Aston Martin driver had some unknown issues all weekend. After his impressive performance in Australia, he lost his touch, and in Suzuka, he could have at least finished inside the top 15.

Also Read: Ranking top 5 winners & losers of the 2025 F1 Japanese Grand Prix