Max Verstappen grabs Japanese GP pole with record lap

Max Verstappen stormed to pole position for Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix, smashing the track record and edging McLaren’s Lando Norris by just 0.012 seconds.

Verstappen posted a stunning lap of 1:26.983 in his Red Bull to clinch his first pole of the 2025 season, ahead of Norris and fellow McLaren driver Oscar Piastri, who qualified third.

Despite a challenging start to the year and McLaren’s dominance in all three practice sessions at Suzuka, Verstappen delivered when it mattered most.

“If you look at how our season started—even during this weekend—it’s very unexpected,” said Verstappen.

“I think that makes it a very special one.”

Tsunoda struggles in Red Bull debut

In contrast, Japan’s Yuki Tsunoda endured a tough outing, managing only 15th on the grid in his first appearance for the senior Red Bull team. The home crowd had high hopes for the 24-year-old, who stepped up after impressing with RB, but he was unable to match the pace of his new teammate.

Championship dynamics shifting

Norris, the current championship leader, is part of a resurgent McLaren team that has started the season on fire, winning the Australian Grand Prix and securing a one-two finish in China.

“We’ll do our homework tonight,” said Norris, as he looks to break Verstappen’s three-year winning streak in Japan.

“It’s probably going to be a bit like Melbourne. But now I’ve got to try and do some overtakes—so we’ll see. It’s exciting.”

Verstappen, still searching for his first win of the season after finishing second in Melbourne and fourth in Shanghai, remained cautious despite his pole.

“I don’t say, ‘oh, I’m first now, everything is perfect,’” he said.

“We still have clear issues that we need to solve. That’s what we’re continuing to work on.”

Top 10 Qualifiers – Japanese GP:
Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 1:26.983
Lando Norris (McLaren) – +0.012s
Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
George Russell (Mercedes)
Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
Isack Hadjar (RB)
Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
Alex Albon (Williams)
Oliver Bearman (Haas)