F1 Qualifying Results: McLaren DENIED pole at Japanese Grand Prix as…..read more
In a thrilling qualifying session for the Japanese Grand Prix, Max Verstappen once again showcased his dominance by clinching pole position in spectacular fashion. The reigning World Champion pulled out a sensational lap around Suzuka, setting a new lap record and narrowly denying McLaren a shock pole position with both their drivers in hot pursuit.
Lando Norris was Verstappen’s closest challenger, putting in an impressive performance that saw him miss out on the top spot by just 0.012 seconds. Right behind him was his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, who finished only 0.03 seconds off the pace. This strong showing from the McLaren duo hints at a potentially exciting battle at the front in Sunday’s race, with both drivers starting right behind Verstappen on the grid.
Further down the order, Liam Lawson made headlines by outqualifying his Red Bull replacement Yuki Tsunoda. Lawson, stepping into the Racing Bulls car for the third time this season, managed to secure 14th place on the grid. While this is far from the front, it marks a personal victory as he managed to finish just ahead of local hero Tsunoda, who could only manage 15th in front of his home crowd. Although the result may not be eye-catching in terms of overall position, it’s a small but significant confidence boost for Lawson in his continued quest for a full-time seat.
Elsewhere, rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli delivered an outstanding performance to qualify in sixth place—his best starting position since stepping up to Formula 1. Driving with maturity beyond his years, Antonelli put together a strong lap that placed him just behind his more experienced teammate and ahead of multiple-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. The young Italian has continued to impress with his rapid development and growing consistency, and this result cements his reputation as a rising star in the sport.
Hamilton, meanwhile, will start the race from eighth on the grid. The Mercedes driver has struggled to extract the maximum performance from the car at Suzuka, though he remains within striking distance of the front runners. With his extensive racecraft and experience, he could still play a pivotal role in the race depending on strategy and track conditions.
The qualifying session was not without drama. A fire-related incident mid-way through Q2 caused a red flag stoppage that lasted approximately seven minutes. This marked the fifth such disruption of the race weekend, as fire issues have plagued several sessions. Despite the interruption, all drivers were able to resume the session safely, and the grid was set without further incident.
Looking ahead to Sunday, the race promises to be an exciting one with the top three drivers separated by mere fractions of a second. McLaren’s close challenge to Red Bull has added a fresh competitive edge to the championship fight, while stories further down the grid—such as Antonelli’s rise and Lawson’s internal battle with Tsunoda—add extra layers of intrigue. With Suzuka’s high-speed corners and unpredictable weather patterns, anything could happen once the lights go out.
