Verstappen takes pole for Sunday's F1 Japanese Grand Prix ahead of Norris and Piastri

Max Verstappen got out of who knows where on an exceptional Saturday that allowed him to take Sunday conventionally. Conventional, for him. There was no one in the entire paddock installed on the circuit of Suzuka who managed to explain rationally the return that returned the Dutch to the pole position, ten months after the last time, in a timed one that seemed painted of the papaya color that decorates the McLaren. Fernando Alonso was probably …

Japanese Grand Prix 2025 live updates: Can birthday boy Piastri hunt down Verstappen?

Follow all of the action as Australian star Oscar Piastri starts from the second row of the grid, while countryman Jack Doohan looks to keep his F1 dream alive.

In Suzuka, rain fell at night, but the track dried up. Ferrari wants the redemption, McLaren a favorite with Norris and Piastri. Antonelli starts sixth behind Russell

Max Verstappen is back and in pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix

SUZUKA, Japan (AP) — Max Verstappen is back.

If Verstappen was positively surprised, the British Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) seems to have taken a step back after winning the sprint race in the previous race, in China.

Verstappen: Japan pole was 'very unexpected'

Max Verstappen described his pole position at the Japanese Grand Prix as "very unexpected" after he defied the odds to beat the two McLaren drivers to the fastest time in qualifying.