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53 laps around the Suzuka International Racing Course for the 2025 edition of the Japanese Grand Prix failed to drum up much excitement, with very few overtakes and no particularly exciting pit strategies. But we still saw some drivers put on an impressive show, whereas others had a decidedly subpar weekend. Read on as we rate the performance of each of the 20 drivers in the field.
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin (P20): 3/10
The Japanese Grand Prix was the first main race of 2025 to not see a single retirement, but Stroll might as well have not even turned up at the airport in Japan. His best Qualifying time was almost four tenths slower than Doohan’s in P19 thanks to a trip through the grass on his final attempt, and the Canadian was the only driver to be lapped during the race itself. Aston Martin gambled by starting Stroll on the soft tyre, but he was only able to make the compound last a measly ten laps…
Gabriel Bortoleto, Kick Sauber (P19): 4/10
This time Bortoleto wasn’t able to outqualify his experienced teammate, but he was less than a tenth off Hulkenberg’s best time around Suzuka this time. Once again the Kick Sauber looked all out at sea come race day, and it was a quiet and uncompetitive race for the Brazilian. But he loses points for his horrendous start off the line, where he lost three places thanks to a bad launch and a lack of immediate grip on hard rubber in the first few corners of the Grand Prix.
