Max Verstappen produced a major upset to snatch pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix from McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
It had appeared throughout the weekend that claiming pole would be a formality for McLaren, whose drivers have shared a pole and win each at the opening two rounds of the 2025 season, but Red Bull’s Verstappen came from nowhere to trump them.
Piastri was clearly fastest on the first runs in Q3, before Norris appeared to have snatched pole with his second attempt, but Verstappen delivered a time of 1:26.983 to take a fourth successive Suzuka pole as the top three were left separated by less than half a tenth of a second.
The remarkable nature of Verstappen’s effort was emphasised by the four-time world champion’s new team-mate Yuki Tsunoda only managing 15th on his Red Bull debut, finishing a place behind Liam Lawson, the driver he was switched with from junior squad Racing Bulls.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Here’s your paddock pass for the Japanese Grand Prix, joining Naomi Schiff as she shares a sneak peek in Suzuka!
Charles Leclerc took fourth for Ferrari but Lewis Hamilton was three tenths off his team-mate in a disappointing eighth as the seven-time world champion’s turbulent start to life with the Italian team continued.
Mercedes’ George Russell had appeared the most likely driver to challenge the McLarens going into qualifying, but had to settle for fifth after making an error on his final flying lap. His rookie team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli took an encouraging sixth.
Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar overcame apparent seat-belt issues that he expressed extreme distress about over radio in the early stages of the session to take seventh.
Alex Albon was ninth for Williams, while British rookie Oliver Bearman completed the top 10 after producing a highly-impressive performance to reach Q3.
More to follow…
Sky Sports F1’s live Japanese GP schedule
Sunday April 6
- 4.30am: Japanese GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
- 6am: THE JAPANESE GRAND PRIX*
- 8am: Japanese GP reaction: Chequered Flag*
- 9am: Ted’s Notebook*
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula is at the iconic Suzuka Circuit for the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime
