Max Verstappen will lead off the F1 field after a stunning pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.
Verstappen stole top spot on the grid away from McLaren pair Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri by just 0.012s after setting the all-time fastest lap at Suzuka, eclipsing Sebastian Vettel's 1:27.064s from 2019 with a 1:26.983s effort.
It is Verstappen's fourth successive Japanese GP pole, with new team-mate Yuki Tsunoda only 14th on the grid after qualifying 15th fastest.
The reason for the change is due to a three-place grid penalty for Carlos Sainz for impeding Lewis Hamilton in Q2. The Williams driver drops from 12th to 15th, allowing Fernando Alonso, Liam Lawson and Tsunoda to shuffle forward one place.
Hamilton will start eighth, for his lowest Suzuka grid spot since ninth for McLaren in 2012.
NOTE: Grid remains provisional until officially confirmed by the FIA.
Full starting grid for 2025 F1 Japanese Grand Prix
| Position | Driver | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 2nd | Lando Norris | McLaren |
| 3rd | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
| 4th | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 5th | George Russell | Mercedes |
| 6th | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes |
| 7th | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls |
| 8th | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari |
| 9th | Alex Albon | Williams |
| 10th | Oliver Bearman | Haas |
| 11th | Pierre Gasly | Alpine |
| 12th | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin |
| 13th | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls |
| 14th | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull |
| 15th | Carlos Sainz - PENALTY | Williams |
| 16th | Nico Hulkenberg | Stake |
| 17th | Gabriel Bortoleto | Stake |
| 18th | Esteban Ocon | Haas |
| 19th | Jack Doohan | Alpine |
| 20th | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin |
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