As the excitement builds for the Formula 1 season, the Gran Premio de Japón at the Suzuka Circuit is set to be a thrilling spectacle. The qualifying session took place on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 8:00 AM Spanish time, and it was nothing short of dramatic. Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing claimed pole position with an impressive lap time of 1:26.983, narrowly edging out Lando Norris from McLaren by just 0.012 seconds.
The qualifying session was filled with tension as the drivers prepared to secure their best starting positions for the race on Sunday, April 6, at 7:00 AM. Verstappen's performance marked his first pole since the Austrian Grand Prix last season, showcasing his exceptional driving skills and the capabilities of his Red Bull car. "Every session we made small improvements, and in the last round, I really pushed to the limit. It feels great to be back on pole," Verstappen commented after his stellar performance.
Norris, who currently leads the championship standings, expressed his satisfaction with his qualifying effort despite missing out on pole. "I'm happy with my lap. Max did an incredible job, and the difference was minimal. I made a small mistake in sector two, which probably cost me pole," he said.
Oscar Piastri, also from McLaren, secured third place with a time of 1:27.027, further solidifying McLaren's strong presence in the top tier of the grid. "It was a good qualifying session for us. We're in a strong position for the race, and I believe we have the pace to challenge for victory," Piastri stated confidently.
Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari finished fourth with a time of 1:27.299, followed closely by George Russell in fifth (1:27.318) and Kimi Antonelli in sixth (1:27.555). The competition was fierce, and each driver was eager to capitalize on their starting positions.
However, it was a disappointing day for the Spanish drivers. Carlos Sainz Jr., racing for Williams, finished 12th with a time of 1:27.836, just missing out on a spot in Q3. He faced an incident with Lewis Hamilton during Q2, which is currently under investigation. "I wasn't aware that Hamilton was on a flying lap. I thought the session was over, and I didn't receive any warnings," Sainz explained.
Fernando Alonso, now with Aston Martin, also struggled, finishing 13th with a time of 1:27.897. He expressed his frustration post-qualifying, noting, "It was expected given our pace. We didn’t have the speed to get into Q3. Tomorrow could present opportunities, especially if it rains, and we’ll have to take advantage of that." Alonso's hopes for rain on race day might open up chances for him to score points, as he has yet to finish in the points this season due to unfortunate incidents in previous races.
The qualifying session was not without its challenges, as a grass fire in the 130R section led to a red flag during Q2, causing delays and adding to the tension of the event. This incident was part of a troubling trend at Suzuka, where multiple fires had interrupted practice sessions earlier in the weekend.
As the teams prepare for the race, the current standings in the championship see Lando Norris leading with 44 points, followed by Max Verstappen with 36 points and George Russell with 35 points. The constructors' championship is led by McLaren with 78 points, followed by Mercedes with 57 points and Red Bull with 36 points.
The starting grid for the Gran Premio de Japón is as follows:
- 1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 2. Lando Norris (McLaren)
- 3. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- 4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- 5. George Russell (Mercedes)
- 6. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- 7. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
- 8. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
- 9. Alexander Albon (Williams)
- 10. Oliver Bearman (Haas)
- 11. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
- 12. Carlos Sainz (Williams)
- 13. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
- 14. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
- 15. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)
- 16. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber)
- 17. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)
- 18. Esteban Ocon (Haas)
- 19. Jack Doohan (Alpine)
- 20. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
With the stage set for an exhilarating race, fans are eagerly anticipating what promises to be a thrilling contest at Suzuka. Will Verstappen maintain his pole position? Can McLaren challenge for victory? And will the weather play a crucial role in the outcome? All eyes will be on the track as the drivers prepare to battle it out on race day.
