Max Verstappen sensationally returned to pole position at the Japanese Grand Prix after setting a record-breaking lap of 1:26.983 to deny the McLarens in a tantalizing qualifying at Suzuka on Saturday, MySportDab Reports.
The Dutch world champion, winless in pole since the Austrian Grand Prix in June 2024, produced a flawless final lap for his fourth straight top spot at the legendary track in Japan.
Verstappen beat McLaren’s Lando Norris to the top spot by a mere 0.012 seconds, with the Briton alongside him on the front row. Oscar Piastri, who won the Chinese Grand Prix two weeks ago, qualified third, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc alongside him in the second row.
”There was a lot of happiness when I crossed the line,” Verstappen said. “For how the season started and this weekend playing out, definitely unexpected. That makes it even more special.”
Norris was gracious in defeat, complimenting Verstappen’s final effort. “Congrats to Max. When it’s a lap that good, you need to credit someone. “I think I got all that I could get out of the car.”
Mercedes pair George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli make up the third row of the grid, with Russell conceding the podium could be within reach come race day, depending on the conditions. “We are absolutely there or thereabouts,” he said. “If it rains, who knows what will happen?”
There was pride for local hero Yuki Tsunoda, whose difficult debut with Red Bull saw him qualify just 15th, one spot behind the man he replaced, the Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson. “I didn’t see this result coming,” Tsunoda said. “But I’m starting to understand the car.”
Racing Bulls teengoed Isack Hadjar was seventh, having toughed out a seatbelt problem to put himself a placing ahead of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton in eighth. “Not acceptable from my side,” Hamilton said. “I love the rain, so I hope it shows up tomorrow.”
Haas’ teenage driver Ollie Bearman also caught the eye by reaching Q3 for the first time, and qualifying 10th.
That session was briefly interrupted by a grass fire, the fifth such incident of the weekend, but race organisors believe the overnight rain will have saved them from further disruption in Sunday’s race.
