In a qualifying session that defied recent form, Max Verstappen delivered what Red Bull team principal Christian Horner described as “one of his best laps in qualifying ever” to secure a surprise pole position for the 2025 F1 Japanese GP at Suzuka. Yuki Tsunoda will start P15.
“Completely against the run of form”
The four-time world champion‘s last-gasp effort of 1:26.983 snatched pole from McLaren’s Lando Norris by just 0.012 seconds, marking Verstappen’s fourth consecutive pole at the iconic Suzuka circuit, as well as an exciting F1 Japanese GP Qualifying to watch.
“Unbelievable, I mean we did not expect that,” admitted a visibly delighted Horner speaking to Sky Sports after qualifying. “Max, I mean what can you say, just an outstanding, outstanding lap. He’s extracted every ounce of performance.”
The pole position came as a significant boost for a Red Bull team that has recently struggled to match the pace of rivals, particularly McLaren, who had looked dominant throughout much of the weekend.
“Getting that pole position was completely against the run of form that we’ve been seeing, so a massive result for him and a big lift for the team,” Horner added.
A turnaround for Red Bull
The Red Bull team principal revealed that significant changes had been made to the car configuration following difficulties at previous races.
“They’ve turned the car upside down this weekend. I mean in set-up, we’ve been around the houses with it and Max and his team have done a great job just getting the car coming into the window, getting the tyres in the right place and just putting everything together.”
Despite McLaren’s theoretical advantage, Horner noted that their rivals failed to maximise their potential.
“I think the McLarens, if they’d have put their laps together on the theoreticals, they’re half a tenth quicker, but they didn’t get laps together today and with Max, he left nothing on the table.”
Horner explains Tsunoda’s missed opportunity at the F1 Japanese GP Qualifying session
Meanwhile, newly promoted home favourite Yuki Tsunoda showed promising pace in his first qualifying session since his shock promotion to Red Bull but ultimately failed to progress beyond Q2 after an error in the first corner.
“This morning they both ran a bit more downforce and Yuki [Tsunoda] found it was more to his liking and certainly in Q1 he was looking competitive, he was within a tenth of Max [Verstappen] and just one place behind,” explained Horner.
“Then in Q2 he hasn’t actually improved and that last run I think he was a bit possibly too quick into Turn 1, he had a big moment at Turn 2 and then you’re never going to recover it from there.”
Despite the disappointment, Horner remained optimistic about Tsunoda’s prospects for Sunday’s race.
“It’s a shame because I think he would have comfortably made the top 10 today, but he can still race well from there tomorrow.”
Can Max Verstappen win the F1 Japanese GP?
Looking ahead to Sunday’s Grand Prix, Horner acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding their race pace compared to the McLarens, which have shown strong form throughout the weekend.
“Well, who knows what tomorrow is going to bring, but you’ve still got to have a car under you to be able to extract a lap like that,” said Horner.
“Max has just been working so hard behind the scenes with the team and look, that lap is down to him today, but I think the team have done a good job in making progress throughout the weekend.”
