Verstappen stuns with pole position at Japanese Grand Prix
The Red Bull driver stormed home to take the fastest lap around Suzuka Circuit ahead of the dominant McLarens.
SUZUKA–Max Verstappen qualified on pole for the Japanese Grand Prix with a stunning final lap, one of the greatest of his career.
The Dutchman once again proved his skill, setting a lap record of 1:26.983 and taking pole despite McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri holding on to the fastest times in each of the track's three sectors.
"It's been an incredible qualifying for us even though the weekend has been quite tough so far," said the Red Bull driver.
"We kept working and the changes that we made going into qualifying helped as we were lacking a bit of pace before. The car got a little better and we could attack the corners a bit more."
"During qualifying we kept trying to find little gains and drive to the limit meaning that we improved nicely, which made the difference today."
The result is the reigning world champion's 41st pole in Formula One and his fourth consecutive pole at the Japanese Grand Prix.
The McLaren drivers lead through Q1 and Q2 and the end of the session was a nailbiter, with Piastri going fastest, then Norris, before the lap from Verstappen came as a bolt from the blue in the final seconds.
"Every lap that we did we built on and learned from," said Verstappen.
"We maximised what we had, didn't make any mistakes in the lap and it was a great result in the end."
"Pole was a surprise for everyone as so far this year we have not been the best on race pace, so I am very happy for the team."
Nico Hulkenberg, Gabriel Bortoleto, Esteban Ocon, Jack Doohan, and Lance Stroll were eliminated in Q1, before all eyes turned to a battle between Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson in Q2.
Both drivers were eliminated in the second part of qualifying, with Lawson shocking fans when he outqualified Red Bull replacement Tsunoda, the pair finishing fourteenth and fifteenth respectively.
The result is the perhaps the strongest proof so far that Red Bull's issues in their second car are deeper than driver selection.
Joining the pair to exit after Q2 were Pierre Gasly, Carlos Sainz, and Fernando Alonso.
Q3 drew to a stunning crescendo, with Verstappen taking a roar of approval from the Japanese crowd to accompany his pole position.
The Dutchman will lead the field from pole position, with Lando Norris alongside him on pole and Australian Oscar Piastri to start third, ahead of Charles Leclerc, George Russell, Kimi Antonelli, Isack Hadjar, Alex Albon, and Ollie Bearman.
"Tomorrow the rain might make it a bit more of an interesting race and we will do our best to get the best possible result," said Verstappen.
The 2025 Formula One Japanese Grand Prix is underway at 3.00pm AEST tomorrow, with light rain predicted throughout the day at Suzuka.
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