Jeremy Clarkson calls for the removal of F1 circuits after the Japanese GP in viral postJeremy Clarkson has criticized the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix for its lack of overtaking, humorously comparing it to a game of cricket.
After a rather uneventful 2025 Japanese Grand Prix, the former Top Gear presenter, known for his witty remarks, proposed a solution that only he could offer.
“I’ve had an idea to make F1 racing more consistently exciting. Don’t use tracks where overtaking is hard,” he posted on X earlier this week. His post quickly gained traction, reaching 2.1 million people shortly after his initial comments, which likened the race to cricket.
“That F1 race this morning gave me an idea of what it might be like to watch cricket,” Clarkson quipped.
The Suzuka race saw Max Verstappen claim his first win of the 2025 season, with McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finishing on the podium. Although Verstappen showcased his skillful driving, the race faced criticism for a lack of excitement.
After the opening lap, only 15 overtakes were made throughout the Grand Prix, and 11 drivers finished in their starting positions. Among the top 10, the only driver to gain a position was Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, who passed Racing Bull’s Isack Hadjar. This is a stark contrast to the 48 overtakes in the 2024 race.
“I spent most of the race stuck in traffic, and it’s not much fun following someone’s rear wing in DRS,” said Nico Hulkenberg. “It’s so tough with these cars in dirty air.”
Max Verstappen shared his thoughts:
“There are a lot of fast corners, which makes it hard to follow. The tires overheat when you get too close, and the cars are improving every year, but the dirty air makes it harder and harder to race.”
He added, “When lap times are close, and there’s not much tire degradation, it becomes really difficult.”
In response to his posts, a fan challenged Clarkson, suggesting that the issue might lie with the car designs. Clarkson replied, “Sure, the cars are bigger, so accept that, forget the ‘incentives,’ and use tracks that are suitable. Ultimately, the revenue comes from the fans. Always.”
Looking ahead to 2026, a series of changes will take place, including a new powertrain that emphasizes hybrid power. Additionally, the cars will become smaller and lighter, with their width reduced by 100mm to 1,900mm, the wheelbase shortened by 200mm to 3,400mm, and the minimum weight dropping by 30kg to 768kg.