Max Verstappen has qualified on pole position for Formula 1’s Japanese Grand Prix, beating team-mate Sergio Perez as Red Bull locked out the front row of the grid.
The Dutchman led all three stages to claim top spot with a best effort of 1:28.197s, a slim 0.066s clear of Perez to land his third consecutive pole at the Suzuka circuit.
Lando Norris replicated his position from F1’s last visit to the venue in September with third for McLaren, ahead of Australian Grand Prix victor Carlos Sainz for Ferrari.
Fernando Alonso wound up fifth in the sole Aston Martin in Q3, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri sixth and Lewis Hamilton the lead Mercedes for the first time this season.
Charles Leclerc struggled to eighth for Ferrari but at least split the Mercedes cars with George Russell ninth. Yuki Tsunoda completed the top 10 in front of his home fans.
[motorsport_result id=’159585′]
