Suzuka is always a special place for drivers and fans alike, and this year was no different as the third round of the season delivered plenty of talking points all weekend long. The energy from the crowd was palpable for all three days of action, making it a memorable return to a historic track.<\/p>\n
There was plenty of on-track drama for the third round of the season in Japan, with Kimi Antonelli<\/a> becoming the youngest Championship leader after securing his second win in a row, Oscar Piastri<\/a> recovering from his rough season start to take P2, and plenty of shocks and upsets throughout the field. But those weren\u2019t the only stories from the Grand Prix weekend \u2013 so here are some off-track moments you should know about…<\/p>\n Ferrari immerses in tradition<\/p>\n Japan, much like Suzuka, is steeped in history and tradition, and one team spent the week immersing themselves into the culture that makes the country so unique. Ferrari<\/a>‘s Lewis Hamilton<\/a> made a return to the dojo, having done karate as a child, but this time the stakes were slightly higher.<\/p>\n Legendary samurai artist Tetsuro Shimaguchi, who choreographed fight scenes from the classic movie Kill Bill, showed Hamilton the ropes \u2013 an awesome experience for the Briton. In the week leading up to the Grand Prix, the 41-year-old even found time to pull up to a famous Tokyo car meet in a Ferrari F40 \u2013 another bucket list activity ticked off.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc<\/a> had a slightly less dangerous tradition to partake in: a tea ceremony dressed in a kimono outfit, which we\u2019re sure is a welcome change of pace for the Monegasque man.<\/p>\n Four-wheel fun<\/p>\n Japanese motorsport fans appreciate their cars year-round, not just when F1 rolls into town, but it\u2019s always a celebration of everything automotive when it\u2019s race weekend. The Racing Bulls<\/a> duo certainly made the most of their time in Japan, with Liam Lawson<\/a> and Arvid Lindblad<\/a> both enjoying a drifting experience from Mike Whiddett, the Formula Drift Japan Champion.<\/p>\n The occasion was put on by Red Bull<\/a> to celebrate some of their athletes and Racing Bulls\u2019 special livery, with reserve drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Ayumu Iwasa also present for their home event.<\/p>\n On a slightly smaller track than usual, Esteban Ocon<\/a> took on Antonelli during Thursday\u2019s media day. It was miniature Haas<\/a> versus miniature Mercedes<\/a> as the pair raced remote-controlled cars on the grid \u2013 ever the competitors, they certainly looked like they enjoyed the battle!<\/p>\n Cover star Charles<\/p>\n We certainly haven\u2019t been short of Leclerc content recently, as the Ferrari star was on the cover of not one but two fashion magazines this week. Firstly, the 28-year-old became the first person on the cover of the ESQUIRE edition in France, before gracing the cover of Vogue China just a day later \u2013 and with a podium on Sunday, the Monegasque has had almost too much to celebrate.<\/p>\n Team bonding bowling<\/p>\n As the senior driver at Mercedes, it seems George Russell<\/a> has taken over the responsibility of keeping up with old team traditions previously started by Hamilton. On Thursday evening, Russell organised a bowling night for mechanics, engineers, hospitality, and the drivers, of course.<\/p>\n So, when we saw Williams<\/a> man Carlos Sainz<\/a> taking part in the fun, we were a tad confused \u2013 and so was Russell. The Briton theorised that Sainz must have wanted to take up a new role as Mercedes mechanic \u2013 a slight change of pace for Sainz!<\/p>\n The bowling alley was busy all weekend as Hamilton carried his tradition to Ferrari \u2013 fortunately on a different day to his old team. Spirits seem high in both camps, as both teams enjoy a stellar start to the season.<\/p>\n Fantastic fans<\/p>\n Creativity is always off the charts when it comes to the fans at Suzuka \u2013 check out all the outfits and handmade accessorises from the weekend! We even saw the return of the mini-Lando Norris<\/a>, Leclerc and Max Verstappen<\/a> that captured everyone\u2019s hearts in 2025 \u2013 the trio enjoyed a weekend to remember, meeting lots of drivers and getting tours of the garages.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Russell reunited with Sogo, a Mercedes superfan who met the Briton two years ago. Sogo even learnt a few lines of English to impress Russell \u2013 an adorable reunion!<\/p>\n The fans at Suzuka once again went all out with their signs, costumes and passion \u2013 it’s always a special weekend thanks to the incredible people in Japan.<\/p>\n Tokyo tourists<\/p>\n Tokyo is a must-see city \u2013 and the drivers love to play the tourist ahead of race weekend. Piastri was in sightseeing mode with partner Lily Zneimer, Lindblad enjoyed the skyscraper views and some shopping, while Ocon couldn\u2019t stop smiling throughout his exploration of the city.<\/p>\n Elsewhere Norris had his eye on some Japanese candy, Pierre Gasly<\/a> went incognito in a Mario mask and Antonelli fancied some gaming in an arcade before travelling to Suzuka.<\/p>\n Special liveries<\/p>\n Special liveries frequently make an appearance in Japan as teams celebrate the standout event in Suzuka \u2013 and this year was no different. Haas and Toho, the Japanese entertainment studio, collaborated to produce a striking Godzilla-themed livery. The \u2018King of Monsters\u2019 looked incredible on an F1 car \u2013 we weren\u2019t sure Haas could top last year\u2019s Sakura design, but this may have just done it!<\/p>\n Racing Bulls have produced several fan-favourite one-off liveries in recent years, and it looks like they\u2019ve pulled it off again with their \u2018Red Bull Spring Edition\u2019-inspired design. The red and white livery incorporates some traditional Japanese shodo elements from calligrapher Bisen Aoyagi \u2013 who was inspired by the cherry blossoms that characterise Suzuka.<\/p>\n Mercedes brought their wolf designs from recent merchandise drops to the car in Japan, with a special front wing with grey and black wolf patterns. It’s all about \u2018unleashing the beast\u2019 for the Brackley team, and it\u2019s working, as they lead both Championships to start the season.<\/p>\n Special helmets<\/p>\n Fans in Japan were also treated to plenty of striking special helmets this weekend. Alex Albon<\/a> donned a gorgeous Sakura lid, Gasly wanted to embrace imperfection with his kintsugi art-inspired design and Valtteri Bottas<\/a> wore a helmet covered in iconic Japanese cuisine as designed by his partner Tiffany Cromwell.<\/p>\n