Verstappen secures surprise pole at Japanese GP
Max Verstappen secured a surprise pole position at the Japanese Grand Prix, beating Lando Norris by just 0.012 seconds despite McLaren's dominance in practice, setting a new track record for his fourth consecutive Suzuka pole.
Max Verstappen pulled off a stunning last-minute pole position at the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix, upstaging the McLaren duo who had dominated practice sessions throughout the weekend.
The reigning world champion delivered when it counted, setting a new track record of 1m26.983s to secure his fourth consecutive pole at Suzuka.
Championship leader Lando Norris will start alongside him, missing pole by just 0.012 seconds, with Chinese GP winner Oscar Piastri third.
Q1
Liam Lawson barely advanced in 15th, edging Nico Hulkenberg by 0.016s.
Esteban Ocon couldn't replicate his strong Chinese GP form and qualified 18th, while Lance Stroll will start from the back after running wide at Dunlop Curve.
Jack Doohan qualified 19th in his rebuilt Alpine following Friday's massive crash.
Q2
A trackside grass fire brought out the fifth red flag of the weekend, causing significant delays.
When the session resumed, neither Yuki Tsunoda nor his replacement Liam Lawson made it to Q3.
Carlos Sainz, Pierre Gasly, and Fernando Alonso also missed the cut for the final shootout.
Q3
Mercedes showed promise with George Russell and rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli taking the third row.
Racing Bull rookie Isack Hadjar impressed in seventh despite cockpit issues, while Lewis Hamilton could only manage eighth ahead of Alex Albon and rookie Oliver Bearman.
Verstappen's flawless final lap denied McLaren what seemed an inevitable front-row lockout, demonstrating how closely matched the top teams have become in 2025 with his minuscule advantage over Norris.
Japanese GP Qualifying Results
| Pos | Driver | Time | Team | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | M. Verstappen | 1:26.983 | Red Bull | |
| 2 | L. Norris | 1:26.995 | McLaren | +0.012 |
| 3 | O. Piastri | 1:27.027 | McLaren | +0.044 |
| 4 | C. Leclerc | 1:27.299 | Ferrari | +0.316 |
| 5 | G. Russell | 1:27.318 | Mercedes | +0.335 |
| 6 | A. Antonelli | 1:27.555 | Mercedes | +0.572 |
| 7 | I. Hadjar | 1:27.569 | Racing Bulls | +0.586 |
| 8 | L. Hamilton | 1:27.610 | Ferrari | +0.627 |
| 9 | A. Albon | 1:27.615 | Williams | +0.632 |
| 10 | O. Bearman | 1:27.867 | Haas | +0.884 |
| 11 | P. Gasly | 1:27.905 | Alpine | +0.922 |
| 12 | C. Sainz | 1:27.923 | Williams | +0.940 |
| 13 | F. Alonso | 1:27.986 | Aston Martin | +1.003 |
| 14 | L. Lawson | 1:28.012 | Racing Bulls | +1.029 |
| 15 | Y. Tsunoda | 1:28.043 | Red Bull | +1.060 |
| 16 | N. Hulkenberg | 1:28.059 | Sauber | +1.076 |
| 17 | G. Bortoleto | 1:28.128 | Sauber | +1.145 |
| 18 | E. Ocon | 1:28.219 | Haas | +1.236 |
| 19 | J. Doohan | 1:28.367 | Alpine | +1.384 |
| 20 | L. Stroll | 1:28.782 | Aston Martin | +1.799 |
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