Kimi Antonelli took an emphatic pole position for the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix, with Max Verstappen suffering a shock Q2 elimination.
As qualifying began for the F1 Japanese GP, several drivers entered the session with a point to prove. McLaren had a tale of two drivers: Lando Norris headed into Q1 after a weekend beset by problems, while teammate Oscar Piastri looked to be one of the closest challengers to Mercedes.
Q1
Drivers formed their orderly queue at the end of the pits as Q1 started, with Liam Lawson leading the field. Contenders Ferrari opted not to join the rush onto the circuit, alongside, Mercedes, McLaren and Red Bull. By the end of the first runs, it was Esteban Ocon leading from Arvid Linblad, indicating another battle between Haas and Racing Bulls was in prospect, Aston Martin rooted to the bottom once again.
Only once the midfielders had cleaned up the circuit, the frontrunners ventured out. Piastri became the first contender to set a benchmark, Lewis Hamilton and Norris falling in behind, before Charles Leclerc outlined his credentials by moving three tenths of a second clear of the rest. But the Mercedes duo then came out, Kimi Antonelli the lead Silver Arrow, Russell needing more time in fifth.
In the elimination zone, a tight battle between Franco Colapinto’s Alpine, Williams, Cadillac and Aston Martin played out. A lull fell over the circuit with five minutes to go, as they prepared for one last attempt to escape the bottom five. The Haas duo also looked to be in trouble as the end of the session approached, hovering on the edge of elimination. At the chequered flag, however, it was Colapinto who sprung a surprise, knocking out Oliver Bearman , with the two Cadillacs ahead of the struggling Aston Martins.
Eliminated: Albon, Bearman, Perez, Bottas, Alonso, Stroll
Q2
With all times reset, the field prepared for the upcoming Q2 battle. No queue featured in the pit lane this time, instead the two Ferraris followed out both Mercedes at the green light. Antonelli once again set the early benchmark, Russell 0.3s slower, Hamilton slotting in behind, Leclerc only 0.11s slower than the lead Mercedes. All set their tims on used tyres, such is the advantage they hold over the rest of the field. The McLarens, on new tyres, saw a pace advantage, Oscar Piastri moving to the top of the times, Norris back in fourth.
Behind the leading pack, Gabriel Bortoleto outlined Audi’s credentials by moving into fifth on his first run, while both Red Bulls hovered on the cusp of the elimination zone. Hulkenberg, Ocon, both Racing Bulls, Colapinto, and the remaining Williams of Sainz faced the battle to get out of the bottom six.
As the final runs began, Red Bull opted for an extra set of soft tyres for Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar. Verstappen remained in danger, while Hadjar moved into eighth. All eyes were on Hulkenberg to see if he could knock out Verstappen, but it was Lindblad who knocked out the four-time world champion, with Ocon’s Haas, Hulkenberg, Lawson and Colapinto failing to progress.
Eliminated: Verstappen, Ocon, Hulk, Lawson, Colapinto, Sainz
Q3
The cars rushed onto the track at the start of Q3, Antonelli once again the first to set a benchmark, ahead of a now resurgent George Russell following the Briton’s early struggles. But the real question was whether the challenge from Ferrari and McLaren would continue. The answer came immediatley, McLaren slotted into third and fourth, while Ferrari’s pace completely fell away, moving over half a second adrift.
The cars headed back to the garage for the lull period before the final runs. Antonelli once again led the field on his lap, suffering a lock-up, but still able to remain ahead of his teammate. Behind the Mercedes, the two McLarens did not improve, remaining in third and fourth. But it was Leclerc setting the timesheets alight, setting a purple first sector, but a sideways moment cost him pole position, forced to settle for fourth.
Behind the leading group, Gasly led Hadjar, Bortoleto and Lindblad to complete the top ten.
Top Ten: Antonelli, Russell. Piastri, Leclerc, Norris, Hamilton, Gasly, Hadjar, Bortoleto, Lindblad
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