Max Verstappen lines up in Pole for the 2025 Japanese GP, with the McLaren’s of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri ready to challenge him.
Verstappen Back On Top
Max Verstappen sees himself on Pole again at the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix, for the first time since the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix.
This surprise reemergence comes after a difficult start to the weekend for Red Bull, particularly in relation to the balance of the car.
“We tried the best we could […] to get the best possible balance with the car but it wasn’t easy, even in qualifying, but every session we just get on making little improvements. I think that’s where we made the difference.”
Pleased with the result, Verstappen explained that “the last lap was just flat out. Around here, being on the limit, or maybe a bit over in places, is incredibly rewarding.”
The upgraded surface seemingly benefitted Verstappen, as he praised that “the new tarmac […] gives you even more grip”, particularly in Sector One.
Verstappen’s impressive effort also saw him set a new lap record, which now stands as a 1:26.983.
Claiming his second World Driver’s Championship at the track in 2022, Suzuka has always been one of Verstappen’s favourite tracks. The Dutch driver also took victory there last year.
However, with both McLaren drivers lining up behind him tomorrow, taking victory again will be a challenge.
“This is a proper highlight for us to be back on pole here but […] we will look to tomorrow, there might be some rain around, but we’ll do our very best.”
Norris’ Close Second
Lando Norris lines up behind Verstappen on the front row, immediately praising the Dutch driver:
“Congrats to Max, he did a good job, so it’s a hat’s off, you’ve got to credit something when it’s a lap that good that he must have done.”
Despite missing out on Pole, Norris explained that he was “happy because I feel like I got everything out of the car that I could today so […] it’s tiny, was there probably that much in it, yes, but Max did an amazing lap so we’re happy for both of us to be up there, both of us to be fighting for pole is good, but just not enough.”
A minor mistake during his first Q3 qualifying lap saw the current Championship leader dip a wheel on the exit of Turn Seven, with Norris admitting that “Seven is the last place you want to make a mistake so no, it’s just a couple of little mistakes and it shows how easy it is to lose lap time at the same time.”
Just 0.012s behind Championship rival Verstappen, Norris claimed that “if I was to go again, I probably wouldn’t go as quick as I did so I feel like we’re on the limit of what we have, we just didn’t have enough today.”
With rain possibly set for tomorrow’s race, a condition that often sees the British driver thrive, Norris claimed “it could be another race like Australia but it’s going to be an exciting race, of course we want to try and get past Max, but he’s going to put up a good fight, but I’ve been there before so I’m excited for it.”
Piastri Completes Top Three
Following his win at the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri lines up in third position just behind teammate Norris.
“I felt good throughout most of qualifying, especially at the start of Q3, it was a good lap, but then the last lap just didn’t quite come together as I wanted.”
Only a tenth behind his teammate, Piastri outlined the “incredibly tight margins” across the field, meaning “it’s still all to play for tomorrow.”
Setting the fastest sector times in Sector One and Two during Q3, Piastri notably still felt confident in his and the team’s abilities to deliver.
Despite dominating the weekend, and season, so far, Piastri claimed “it’s not a massive surprise” that McLaren fell short in qualifying and that “the others have not been as far away as people think.”
Although the Australian believes that the team has got “good pace” and “great car for tomorrow” which is “still in the fight for the win.”
Featured Image Credit: Red Bull Content Pool
[adrotate banner=”10″]
Get 10% off all official F1 Merch at TheRaceWorks.com using code ‘EF1‘ at checkout.