The Japanese Grand Prix qualifying didn't promise any surprises based on the preview, it looked like McLaren would do the same in Suzuka. But then Max Verstappen appeared out of nowhere...
Accordingly, an orange car immediately took the lead during Q1, with George Russell, who had been remarkably strong all weekend, claiming a place behind him. In the end, Russell's momentum held until the end of the stage, so the Briton ended this stage in second place behind Oscar Piastri and ahead of Lando Norris. The names of the two Stakes, Esteban Ocon, Jack Doohan and Lance Stroll were recorded among the eliminations.
Q2 was coming, where we could already note an interesting fact: the other Red Bull seemed competitive too! Yuki Tsunoda was already setting laps in the second stage, but due to a mistake he was out of the running for Q3. So paradoxically he dropped out behind Liam Lawson... However, nothing special happened at the front, Norris dominated this stage, behind him Russell and Max Verstappen tried to close in. The list of those eliminated already mentioned will be complete with the names of Pierre Gasly, Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso.
The only big question left in Q3 was whether Russell, or maybe Verstappen, could outdo McLaren and steal pole position. After the first fast laps, this didn’t seem realistic, as Piastri confidently led ahead of Verstappen and Charles Leclerc. But Max Verstappen is not someone who doesn’t show how to squeeze out extra power. The Dutchman did the “impossible” with an amazing lap, and overtook the McLarens, if only by a hair. So he can start tomorrow’s Japanese Grand Prix from the front, ahead of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri!
Photo: PlanetF1/Fox Sports
