HIGHLIGHTS: Relive Verstappen's surprise pole in Japanese GP Qualifying
Max Verstappen took a surprise pole position for Red Bull at the Japanese Grand Prix, besting McLaren's Lando Norris with a last-gasp effort in Qualifying.
Verstappen will start from the front of the grid for the first time since Austria last year after gambling on a low downforce set up. His 1.26.983s was 0.012s clear of Norris who had topped Q2, with Oscar Piastri third.
Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli completed the top six while Isack Hadjar battled issues inside his Racing Bulls entry to take seventh.
On his Red Bull Qualifying debut, Yuki Tsunoda could manage only 15th after an error, falling one place short of the driver he replaced, Liam Lawson.
Watch the highlights from Qualifying by hitting go on the video player above.

Next Up
Related Articles
Beyond The GridThe best of 2025, from Norris’ evolution to Brad Pitt’s ‘need for speed’
Piastri reveals lessons that will ‘only make me stronger’
UnlockedQUIZ: 10 questions on the new World Champion Lando Norris
11 times F1 drivers took another driver’s car number
GALLERY: Check out renders of the innovative 2026 car
F1 CEO Domenicali reflects on 'phenomenal' 2025