Verstappen Takes 'Special' Japan Pole With Record

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen smashed the track record to snatch pole position for Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris, as Yuki Tsunoda qualified a lowly 15th in his Red Bull debut on Saturday.

- Agencies

SUZUKA:

Verstappen clocked a blistering lap of 1min 26.983sec in his Red Bull, 0.012sec ahead of early championship leader Norris, with the other McLaren of Oscar Piastri third.

Verstappen has struggled with his car this season and the McLarens dominated all three practice sessions at Suzuka. But Verstappen delivered in his final lap in Saturday qualifying, pipping Norris right at the death.

"If you look at how our season started, even during this weekend, it's very unexpected," the Dutchman said of his first pole position of 2025.

"I think that makes it a very special one."