Max Verstappen takes pole in Japan with a sensational Lap: 'A highlight for us'

Published on 05 April 2025 by Kees-Jan Koster

Max Verstappen has claimed pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix after a thrilling qualifying session. Although the McLarens appeared dominant at the spectacular Suzuka circuit, Max delivered a sensational final lap in Q3 to take his first pole position of the season by the narrowest of margins. Lando Norris took P2, just twelve thousandths of a second behind, with his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri a mere 0.044 seconds off Verstappen in P3.

After qualifying, a delighted Verstappen said: “I really did not expect this. It has been a tough season for us so far. The car has been difficult to drive, but we did everything we could to optimise the balance. Qualifying was not easy, but we made small improvements every session and that is where we made the difference. The last lap was just flat-out.”

Max clearly relished his pole lap at the driver’s favourite circuit of Suzuka: “Everything was on the limit. I did not make a mistake, and this track really suits me. Driving on the edge, or even slightly over it in some places, gives you so much satisfaction. It is crazy. In a Formula 1 car, especially sector 1 here, is just unbelievable. With the new tarmac there is even more grip, which makes it even trickier through the corners.”

Despite today’s pole position, Max is not making any bold predictions for Sunday’s race: “This is a real highlight for us to be back on pole here. We will see how things go on Sunday. If it stays dry and nothing crazy happens, it is going to be very tough, but there is a chance of rain and we will give it everything we have got.”

While rain is expected during the race tomorrow, today the weather was perfect, and qualifying got underway under glorious sunshine. Max set a 1:28.360 on his first flying lap in Q1, placing him in P4, half a second off pace-setter Lando Norris. On his second run, Max improved to a 1:27.943, which ultimately placed him sixth but safely through to Q2.

Isack Hadjar reported issues with his seatbelts via team radio, visibly struggling in the cockpit, yet still progressed to Q2. Eliminated after Q1 were the Saubers of Nico Hülkenberg (P16) and Gabriel Bortoleto (P17), Esteban Ocon (P18), Jack Doohan (P19), and Lance Stroll (P20).

In Q2, Max set a 1:27.502 on his first run, briefly topping the timesheet before Norris and George Russell went faster. A red flag followed shortly after due to, yet again, a grass fire next to the track, echoing issues seen in previous practice sessions.

After a short delay, the session resumed with eight minutes to go. Verstappen did not improve, as his P3 time was safe enough to move on. Norris ended Q2 fastest, ahead of Russell and Max. Falling short in Q2 were Pierre Gasly (P11), Carlos Sainz (P12), Fernando Alonso (P13), Liam Lawson (P14), and local favourite Yuki Tsunoda (P15) in his first qualifying session for Red Bull Racing.

In the decisive Q3, Max initially went second with a 1:27.278, two-tenths behind Oscar Piastri. Leclerc slotted into P3, with George Russell just behind. As expected, a final flying lap followed. Norris struck first with the fastest time, only for Max to pull out a stunning response. With a lap record of 1:26.983, the four-time world champion secured his first pole of the season and his first since Austria last year.

Lando Norris was only just 0.012 seconds behind in P2, while Piastri completed the top three, only 0.044 seconds off Verstappen. Behind them, Leclerc took P4, with the Mercedes pair of George Russell and rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli lining up on row three. Isack Hadjar impressed with P7, followed by Lewis Hamilton, Alexander Albon, and Oliver Bearman completing the top ten.

The Japanese Grand Prix gets underway tomorrow at 07:00 Dutch time.

Contest GP Japan: win a by Max Verstappen signed Red Bull Racing 2025 cap!

Order a scale model of the white RB21 and/or Max's Japanese helmet here: www.verstappen.com/collections/japan-collection

Results qualifying Japan: