F1 Japanese GP: Verstappen beats Norris and Piastri to pole, grass fires strike again

Max Verstappen stormed to a shock pole place on the System 1 Japanese Grand Prix because the reigning world champion beat each McLarens to high spot.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri had been setting the tempo throughout apply, nevertheless it was Verstappen who delivered when it mattered, placing in a brand new observe file of 1m26.983s to safe his 4 successive Suzuka pole.

Early championship chief Norris will begin alongside the Dutchman having been pipped by simply 0.012s, whereas Chinese language GP race winner Piastri is third alongside Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari.

Earlier than Verstappen’s high-quality effort, it was the Mercedes who had been worrying the McLaren duo however George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli might solely make the third row.

There had been loads of speak about Purple Bull’s resolution to change Liam Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda heading to Japan however neither made it into Q1, as an alternative it was the Racing Bull of Isack Hadjar who impressed to go seventh, regardless of reporting a cockpit concern in the course of the opening session.

Lewis Hamilton will likely be upset to have solely managed eighth, forward of the Williams of Alex Albon and Haas driver Oliver Bearman.

As soon as once more, the hour-long session descended into farce when a fourth pink flag of the weekend for a trackside grass hearth prompted delays in Q2.

After the most recent incident had been handled, there was loads enchancment throughout the board, which means each Lawson and Tsunoda can be eradicated.

Lawson will begin a spot forward of his Purple Bull alternative having gone 14th on his return to Racing Bulls, whereas Pierre Gasly, Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso additionally didn’t make the highest 10 shootout.

Lawson eked out of Q1 in fifteenth place, simply 0.016 seconds sooner than the Sauber of Nico Hulkenberg, whose team-mate Gabriel Bortoleto was additionally eradicated.

Esteban Ocon, having completed fifth final outing in China after penalties had been utilized, needed to accept 18th on the grid this time round having been unable to match the tempo of Bearman within the sister Haas.

Lance Stroll endured a depressing session, working off at Dunlop when on a flying lap and can begin on the again, with the rebuilt Alpine of Jack Doohan alongside him after his big shunt in FP2 on Friday.

F1 Japanese GP – Qualifying outcomes