The F1 Qualifying Japanese GP delivered a classic Suzuka showdown. Max Verstappen pulled off a surprise last-minute pole, beating Lando Norris by just 0.012 seconds.
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Q1 – Piastri Fastest Early On
Piastri led the early pace in Q1, just ahead of Russell and Norris. Leclerc and Hamilton also showed strong pace. Both Sauber drivers were knocked out, along with Ocon and Doohan.
Lance Stroll went off at Turn 6 and ended up last. Hadjar made it through despite struggling with seatbelt issues all session.
Q1 Knockouts:
- 16. Nico Hulkenberg – Sauber
- 17. Gabriel Bortoleto – Sauber
- 18. Esteban Ocon – Haas
- 19. Jack Doohan – Alpine
- 20. Lance Stroll – Aston Martin
Q2 – Norris Quickest, Sainz in Trouble
Norris kept McLaren on top in Q2. Russell came closest, with Verstappen third. Piastri and Leclerc followed. Carlos Sainz was out in P12 and faces a possible penalty after blocking Hamilton.
Gasly went 11th, Alonso 13th, and Liam Lawson beat Yuki Tsunoda for the final Q2 spots.
Q2 Knockouts:
- 11. Pierre Gasly – Alpine
- 12. Carlos Sainz – Williams
- 13. Fernando Alonso – Aston Martin
- 14. Liam Lawson – Racing Bulls
- 15. Yuki Tsunoda – Red Bull
Q3 – Verstappen Shocks McLaren
It looked like a McLaren front row was coming, with Norris and Oscar Piastri leading the charge. But Verstappen pushed his Red Bull to the edge and took P1 with a 1:26.983 lap.
Norris slotted into second, ahead of teammate Piastri. Charles Leclerc was fourth for Ferrari, while Mercedes duo George Russell and Kimi Antonelli took P5 and P6.
Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar continued to impress in seventh, just ahead of Lewis Hamilton, Alex Albon, and Oliver Bearman.
Top 10 – Q3 Results:
- 1. Max Verstappen – Red Bull – 1:26.983
- 2. Lando Norris – McLaren – +0.012
- 3. Oscar Piastri – McLaren – +0.044
- 4. Charles Leclerc – Ferrari – +0.316
- 5. George Russell – Mercedes – +0.335
- 6. Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes – +0.572
- 7. Isack Hadjar – Racing Bulls – +0.586
- 8. Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari – +0.627
- 9. Alex Albon – Williams – +0.632
- 10. Oliver Bearman – Haas – +0.884
Want more from the F1 Qualifying Japanese GP? Stick around for full race coverage and driver reactions from Suzuka!
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