Shock F1 Japanese GP qualifying pole for Verstappen

Spread the love

Full results and report from qualifying as Max Verstappen nabs shock Japanese GP pole for Red Bull ahead of both McLarens.

Q1:

First to hit the track in the opening qualifying session were the struggling Haas pair of Bearman and Ocon. Ocon was first to set a flying lap with a 1:29.724 which was quickly beaten by teammate Bearman.

First of the frontrunners to cross the line was Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc with a 1:28.571, shortly followed by teammate Hamilton on medium tyres, just 6 tenths slower. As the battle for Japanese GP pole commenced, Leclerc’s time at the top was short lived however, as Norris in the McLaren pipped him by 3 tenths.

The rivalry at the apparently dominant McLaren garage continued as Piastri managed to best Norris by 0.090s in the opening exchange. George Russell showcased Mercedes pace as the opening runs panned out, splitting the McLaren duo with a 1:28.201.

Recently promoted home hero Tsunoda seemed much more confident in his RB21 than his predecessor. Midway through the session he was just 3 tenths behind teammate Verstappen, albeit the Red Bull pair remained well behind the frontrunners.

With 2 minutes remaining on the clock, all but Norris and Leclerc were back on track. First to finish their final lap was Piastri, retaking the top spot with a 1:27.687, 0.158s ahead of his teammate.

Progressing to Q2 despite reporting discomfort caused by his seatbelt was rookie Isack Hadjar for Racing Bulls. Eliminated from the first session were the Kick Sauber duo of Hulkenberg and Borteleto, Ocon in the Haas, Alpine’s Jack Doohan and Lance Stroll for Aston Martin.

Q2:

With 15 minutes on the clock for the second session, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was first out of the pits. A 1:27.502 from the 4 time champion opened the timesheets. As the opening laps rolled in, it was once again Norris in the McLaren setting the pace with a 1:27.146.

With just over 8 minutes remaining on the clock, the session was stopped as the familiar site of burning trackside grass cropped up. The small fire was quickly extinguished by marshalls before the session was resumed.

As the session went green once again, the two Ferraris were first back out, led by Lewis Hamilton. Despite a snap of oversteer early in his lap a 1:27.610 saw Hamilton slot into P4. Leclerc then pipped the 7 time champion by just 0.010s.

With the final laps trickling in, all eyes were on Tsunoda and Lawson following their shock seat swap. A scruffy lap from Tsunoda in the Red Bull saw him marginally out qualified by Lawson, although both failed to progress.

A late stage error from Sainz saw him impede Lewis Hamilton as the Williams man entered turn 1 following his push lap. Hamilton behind approached at pace as the Williams ahead followed the racing line at a very slow rate.

Eliminated from the session were Gasly in the Alpine, Williams’ Sainz, the second Aston Martin of Alonso, Lawson for Racing Bulls and Tsunoda at the helm of the RB21.

Q3:

First out of the garage for the final session was Haas’ Ollie Bearman, in his first Q3 appearance of 2025. A 1:28.090 on used softs opened the account for Bearman.

As the opening laps panned out, it was Oscar Piastri who seemed to have the edge over his McLaren teammate. A 1:27.052 put the Aussie in provisional Japanese GP pole. Verstappen occupied P2 following the opening exchange, albeit 0.226s slower. A turn 7 error from McLaren’s Lando Norris saw him slot into a lowly P5, almost half a second off piastri.

With 2 minutes and 30 seconds remaining, all ten remaining drivers were back on track. As the battle for pole heated up, Russell was first to start a flying lap. A sluggish first sector following an early error all but ruled out the McLaren man.

A blistering first sector from Norris led him to a 1:26.995, clinching provisional pole. A poor opening sector from Piastri saw him unable to best Norris. A final lap from four time Champion Verstappen however, stole the show. The Dutchman managed a 1:26.983, snatching pole from McLaren right at the death of the session in qualifying for Sunday’s Japanese GP.

Full Results – F1 Japanese GP Qualifying