Japan – Qualifying: Verstappen disgusts the McLarens

There was no doubt before the session: the drivers McLaren were the favorites for pole position and Q1 and Q2 confirmed this scenario. But as in Formula 1, nothing is ever decided until the end of Q3, Max Verstappen came to remind everyone why he is an exceptional pilot. Despite a Red Bull which caused him some problems and which he blamed for a lack of grip on the front tires, the four-time world champion achieved a new feat of strength by securing his fourth consecutive pole position at Suzuka, ahead of Lando Norris et Oscar piastri.

In Q2, the Dutchman got rid of his teammate Yuki tsunoda, to whom he stuck by half a second. The Japanese driver had nevertheless had an encouraging start to the weekend by managing to be close to Verstappen on certain laps, notably in Q1, where he was on the same time as the four-time world champion. Even more frustrating: Tsunoda, 15th, finished behind Liam Lawson, 14th, whom he has just replaced at Red Bull. The New Zealander had his best qualifying of the year, but was slower than Isack Hadjar, as he has been since the start of the weekend.

WHAT A SESSION!

Max Verstappen. Take. A. Bow.#F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/w72EgQ5ICD

- Formula 1 (@ F1) April 5, 2025

Tsunoda misses, Hadjar shines in pain

The Racing Bulls driver was the only one of the three French drivers to qualify for Q3, despite a very disabling seatbelt problem. Hadjar suffered martyrdom, as he did in Free Practice 3, but managed to reach the top 10 in qualifying for the second weekend in a row (7th).

He was one of the three rookies qualified for Q3 with Kimi Antonelli (6th) and especially Oliver Bearman, sparkling at the wheel of the Haas while his teammate Esteban Ocon stopped in Q1 (18th). Bearman, protected by Ferrari, finished 10th and will start just behind Lewis Hamilton, only 8th. The other Ferrari of Charles Leclerc will be in the second row (4th), next to Oscar Piastri's McLaren.

The Monegasque did better than his great friend Pierre Gasly, definitely stuck in the 11th place he finished in Australia and China (before his disqualification). The Norman missed qualifying for Q3 by a hair, but was very satisfied with his car after the session. He did significantly better than his teammate Jack Doohan, who was only 19th, and who is continuing a nightmare weekend.

F1 – Japanese GP 

The qualifying rankings