Max Verstappen clinched pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix and is eager to fight the McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri for the win. This is the time the race in Suzuka will start at.
Suzuka Circuit, Japan
Verstappen leaves paddock in awe after clinching pole at Suzuka
Max Verstappen has hailed his stunning pole position lap as a “proper highlight” at the Japanese Grand Prix.
The Dutchman pulled out all of the pace he could possibly muster from Red Bull Racing’s RB21 to put down an unbelievable lap time, beating Lando Norris in P2 by +0.012 seconds.
“The last lap was just flat out, and it is incredibly rewarding. We will look to tomorrow and do our best.”
“This is a proper highlight for us to be back on pole here. There might be some rain around, but we will do our very best,” concluded the Dutchman during the on the grid interviews after qualifying.
Red Bull Racing chief advisor, Helmut Marko also praised Verstappen’s ‘unexpected’ pole position for the race at Suzuka.
“To be honest, we never expected this,” he said at the Suzuka circuit to ORF. “We completely overhauled the car after the last practice. In the end, an incredible lap emerged in the qualification… only Max can do this.”
Even Norris praised Verstappen for securing pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix.
“I’m happy. I mean, congrats to Max. He did a good job so it’s a hats off. You’ve got to credit something when it’s a lap that good that he must have done,” Norris said on the grid after the conclusion of qualifying.
This is the schedule for the 2025 F1 Japanese Grand Prix!
Sunday, April 6 – Race: 14:00 local time (06:00 BST)
