Verstappen Secures Pole Position in Japan

Sensational developments in the Formula 1 Japanese GP qualifying. The reigning champion, Max Verstappen, will start from the front row at Suzuka after unexpectedly beating Lando Norris by a mere 12 milliseconds. The Briton, driving his McLaren, will take the second spot on the grid this Sunday. The third position on the Japanese asphalt goes to the Australian and Norris's teammate, Piastri. Three drivers within less than a tenth of a second.

This marks Max's first pole this year and the first since Austria 2025, in July 2024. Despite lacking what defines the fastest car, he still leads the World Championship and is second this year.

To find the Spanish drivers, one must look to the middle of the table. Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz will start twelfth and thirteenth after failing to make the top ten in Q2, which was halted for several minutes due to a new fire on the grass of the Japanese circuit. However, the Madrid-born driver might lose several positions on Sunday's grid, as he faces a visit to the stewards after obstructing Lewis Hamilton during a fast lap attempt in qualifying.