After the disappointment of an early retirement in Australia last time, we can say that Max Verstappen has gotten the bit between his teeth again.
The Red Bull driver looked back to his imperious best in Suzuka to qualify on pole for tomorrow’s Japanese Grand Prix, ahead of teammate Sergio Perez in second and Lando Norris in third.
Both Verstappen and Perez had complained about their cars during Saturday’s third practice session, but were still able to set times that put them well clear of the rest of the field when it counted.
Even after taking pole of the season for the fourth time in a row, Verstappen remained impressed with his own performance. ‘Not bad, not bad. We need a better round, but that doesn’t matter,” said the Dutchman.
He may not have been at his best, but it still looks like it will take something extraordinary for anyone other than a Red Bull driver to claim victory tomorrow.
Max Verstappen secured pole position in Japan, ahead of Sergio Perez and Lando Norris
Mercedes had a difficult qualifying session, with Lewis Hamilton finishing seventh and George Russell ninth
Lando Norris did well to send his McLaren to third place and share the second row of the grid with Carlos Sainz
Verstappen in particular seems to be in a class of his own in the third and final sector of this demanding circuit.
Charles Leclerc, Verstappen’s biggest title rival, went to war with his own team over their strategy in the third practice session and felt briefly frustrated at the end of qualifying.
The Ferrari driver was only eighth and his reaction afterwards suggested he had nothing left to give. ‘That’s the best I can do. To be honest, I don’t understand it,” said a bewildered Leclerc.
It was a happy return to Suzuka for McLaren’s Norris, who finished second at this historic circuit last season and will start on the second row as he searches for a maiden Grand Prix victory.
Compatriots Lewis Hamilton and George Russell lagged behind and qualified seventh and ninth respectively for Mercedes.
Yuki Tsunoda secured P10 as he aimed for a high finish at his home race
Fans were out in full force to catch a glimpse of their favorite stars as F1 graced Suzuka once again
Charles Leclerc only qualified eighth, but Frederic Vasseur insisted he wasn’t worried
