Max Verstappen pulled off a sensational late flying lap to take pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix on Saturday, edging out McLaren’s Lando Norris by just 0.012 seconds.
The reigning world champion clocked a lap record of 1:26.983 at Suzuka, claiming his fourth consecutive pole at the iconic circuit.
The Dutchman’s performance marked his first pole since Austria last June, surprising many after a mixed start to the season. “That makes it a very special one,” Verstappen said after qualifying.
Norris, who leads the championship, will start alongside him on the front row, while his teammate Oscar Piastri shares the second row with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
George Russell and Mercedes teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli will line up on the third row. Japan’s Yuki Tsunoda struggled in his Red Bull debut, managing only 15th.
Rookies Isack Hadjar and Ollie Bearman impressed with strong grid positions, while Lewis Hamilton could only manage eighth, hoping for rain on race day to shake things up.
The session also saw another delay due to a small grass fire—Suzuka’s fifth interruption over the weekend.
