Christian Horner: I saw something ominous in McLaren’s data before Max….read more
Max Verstappen claimed his first pole position of the 2025 Formula 1 season at the Japanese Grand Prix, securing the top spot in a dramatic final moment of qualifying at Suzuka. The McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri had been the pace-setters throughout the weekend, dominating practice and consistently topping the timesheets in Q1 and Q2. However, in the dying seconds of Q3, Verstappen produced a blistering lap to deny McLaren a well-deserved pole, with the Red Bull driver finishing just 0.012 seconds ahead of Norris.
Leading up to the final qualifying session, McLaren appeared to have the advantage. Norris and Piastri’s pace had been exceptional, particularly through the corners, where their car’s higher downforce setup seemed to offer them an edge over their rivals. However, Verstappen and Red Bull had a secret weapon in the form of a lower downforce configuration, which provided superior straight-line speed. This setup allowed Verstappen to make up for any lack of downforce in the more technical sections of the track, and he was able to use this advantage to full effect in the final qualifying lap.
Despite the lower downforce setup being a potential hindrance in the twisty sections of the track, Verstappen showcased his remarkable skill and experience by pushing his RB21 to the limit. In the opening parts of the circuit, Verstappen wasn’t able to match the McLaren drivers’ pace, but he made up ground in the high-speed straights, particularly between Spoon and the final chicane. As the clock ticked down in the final minutes of Q3, Verstappen was able to extract the maximum performance from his car, managing to steal pole position from Norris by a margin of just 0.012 seconds.
Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, praised Verstappen’s performance, describing it as one of his finest qualifying laps. According to Horner, Verstappen put “everything together” during the final run and delivered a perfect lap under pressure. Even with a car that was not fully suited to the Suzuka circuit, Verstappen’s driving precision and ability to adapt to the conditions made the difference, and he was able to make up for the car’s weaknesses in some parts of the track with his superior straight-line speed.
Despite Verstappen’s triumph, McLaren was left disappointed after coming so close to securing their first pole of the season. Norris, in particular, had been in the hunt for the top spot throughout the weekend and was visibly frustrated with the narrow margin that denied him. However, both McLaren drivers have shown they have the pace to challenge Red Bull throughout the weekend, and they will be looking to bounce back in the race itself.
For Verstappen, the pole position adds to his ever-growing list of achievements in Formula 1. This marks his 41st career pole and further cements his reputation as one of the greatest qualifiers in the sport. His ability to consistently outperform competitors under pressure, especially when conditions aren’t ideal, has become one of his defining traits. Verstappen’s dominance in qualifying sessions has been a key factor in his successful streak of world championships, and his performance at Suzuka only further solidifies his status as the man to beat in the 2025 season.
As the race approaches, Verstappen will start from the front, but McLaren’s Norris and Piastri will no doubt be aiming to take the fight to the Red Bull team on race day. With both teams showcasing strong performances, the Japanese Grand Prix is shaping up to be an exciting contest, and Verstappen will need to be at his best to fend off the challenge from McLaren and retain his position at the top of the grid. The Suzuka circuit, known for its demanding corners and high-speed straights, will offer plenty of opportunities for drivers to capitalize on mistakes, making for an unpredictable and thrilling race ahead.
