F1 NEWS: FIA announce Norris inspection as samples taken after….read more

Following the Japanese Grand Prix, Lando Norris’ McLaren MCL39 underwent a detailed inspection by the FIA, as the sport’s governing body conducted routine checks on the car. The British driver had finished second in the race, unable to challenge Max Verstappen, who dominated the Suzuka International Circuit and claimed victory. Despite the dominance of Verstappen, Norris’ performance helped him maintain his lead at the top of the drivers’ championship standings.

In an official statement released after the race, the FIA confirmed that Norris’ car was selected at random for inspection, as part of their regular post-race procedures. The FIA took samples of both the fuel and engine oil from the McLaren, checking their density and viscosity. These samples are standard procedure in Formula 1, where cars finishing in the top 10 are often chosen for random checks to ensure compliance with the sport’s regulations. After the analysis, the FIA confirmed that both the fuel and engine oil samples taken from Norris’ car were in full compliance with the relevant sporting regulations. As a result, there were no changes to the race outcome, and Norris retained his second-place finish.

The inspections had no impact on the final results of the race, as McLaren had already made their mark with a strong performance throughout the weekend. Despite their speed, McLaren faced a major hurdle in qualifying, where Verstappen produced an outstanding lap to snatch pole position from the papaya-colored cars of Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri. This set the stage for a race where McLaren appeared to have the pace to challenge Verstappen, but the Dutchman’s expertise in racecraft and consistent lap times allowed him to hold off the McLaren duo.

Although Norris had the speed to keep close to Verstappen, the difficulty of overtaking around Suzuka, combined with the effect of dirty air from the leading car, made it hard for him to mount a serious challenge. Norris spent much of the race behind Verstappen, trying to maintain tire health while staying within striking distance. Ultimately, Verstappen’s flawless driving and tactical approach helped him preserve his lead, with Norris unable to get past. As a result, Verstappen secured his first win of the 2025 season, a remarkable achievement given the underperformance of his car in comparison to the other teams.

For McLaren, the race was both a triumph in terms of their pace and a disappointment in terms of race results. While the MCL39 was one of the fastest cars throughout the weekend, the team was unable to capitalize on that speed in the race, with Verstappen’s mastery and the inability to overtake on a track that doesn’t offer many passing opportunities ultimately determining the result. Norris, despite his second-place finish, seemed to be frustrated by the fact that he was unable to challenge the dominant Verstappen.

The 2025 Formula 1 season is proving to be an exciting one, with three different winners in the opening three races. The Japanese Grand Prix set the stage for an intense title battle, with Verstappen’s victory bringing him within just one point of Norris, who still holds the lead in the championship standings. The McLaren team has shown that they have one of the fastest cars on the grid, but as demonstrated in Japan, they will need to find a way to challenge Verstappen more effectively in the races ahead.

Despite the disappointment of not being able to convert their pace into a win, McLaren can take solace in the fact that they have a car that can compete at the front of the grid. The upcoming races will be crucial for Norris and McLaren to maintain their momentum in the championship fight. With Verstappen closing the gap, the battle for the 2025 World Drivers’ Championship is only just beginning, and fans can expect an exhilarating season ahead.

The Japanese Grand Prix will go down as an important race in the season, not just for Verstappen’s dominant performance, but also for the ongoing development of McLaren as they continue their quest to challenge for titles once again.