F1 2025 Japanese Grand Prix starting grid with penalties a….read more
Max Verstappen delivered a sensational performance during qualifying for the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix, securing pole position with a record-breaking lap at the iconic Suzuka Circuit. The reigning World Champion managed to edge out both McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, by mere thousandths of a second. Norris will line up alongside Verstappen on the front row, while Piastri slots in just behind them, creating a tantalizing prospect for Sunday’s race.
The qualifying session saw McLaren narrowly miss out on a pole position that seemed within their grasp, particularly given their recent form. However, Verstappen’s late surge ensured Red Bull’s dominance at Suzuka continued. The top three drivers were separated by an incredibly slim margin, showcasing the competitive nature of the field this season.
One of the major post-qualifying developments was the penalty handed to Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz. After the session, Sainz was found guilty of impeding Lewis Hamilton at Turn 1, leading to a three-place grid drop. This penalty reshuffled the order slightly, with several drivers benefiting from his misfortune. Charles Leclerc, Sainz’s teammate, will now start fourth on the grid, followed by the two Mercedes drivers, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, who both moved up thanks to the sanction.
A standout story from qualifying came from Isack Hadjar, who overcame a painful seatbelt issue in his Racing Bulls car to secure an impressive seventh-place start. The young driver’s determination and grit were on full display as he outperformed expectations and even finished ahead of Hamilton’s Ferrari, which will now start eighth following the reshuffle.
Further down the grid, Liam Lawson will begin the race from 13th place. He benefitted from Sainz’s grid drop, moving up a spot. Interestingly, Lawson will start just ahead of his new Racing Bulls teammate Yuki Tsunoda, who has temporarily stepped in for Red Bull. Despite high hopes from local fans for Tsunoda at his home race, he was outqualified by Lawson.
The FIA later confirmed the final starting grid for Sunday’s race, taking into account all penalties and revisions. The revised lineup sets the stage for a thrilling contest at Suzuka, with Verstappen leading the charge and a hungry McLaren duo right on his tail. With so much talent packed into the top ten, and some surprising names making gains due to penalties, the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix promises to be one of the most exciting races of the season so far.
