Max Verstappen Takes Pole Position at 2025 Japanese Grand Prix

SUZUKA, Japan — Max Verstappen propelled himself into pole position at the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix with a blistering qualifying lap of 1:26.983 at the Suzuka International Racing Course on Saturday. The defending world champion outpaced Lando Norris by just eight-thousandths of a second, while Norris’ McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri claimed the third spot on the grid.

As the excitement builds for Sunday’s race, all eyes will be on whether Verstappen can fend off challenges from the McLaren duo and Charles Leclerc, who secured the fourth position while teammate Lewis Hamilton starts further back in eighth.

The weekend marks the third race of the 2025 Formula 1 season, following wins by Norris and Piastri in Australia and China respectively. With their recent performance, McLaren has emerged as a formidable competitor against Red Bull, who dominated the recent seasons. Norris leads the drivers’ standings with 44 points, closely followed by Verstappen with 36 points and George Russell with 35 points.

“We know realistically the McLarens are exceptionally strong, and I think it’s going to be challenging for anybody else to compete with them,” Russell said, underscoring the competitiveness of the race.

With rain conditions predicted for the race day, fans are speculating on Verstappen’s prowess in wet weather, which could play a significant role in the race outcome. Verstappen has a track record of strong performances under challenging conditions.

Completing the top ten, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli from Mercedes start in fifth and sixth respectively, followed by rookie Isack Hadjar from Racing Bulls, who takes the seventh spot. Alex Albon from Williams and Oliver Bearman from Haas round out the top ten. Yuki Tsunoda, the Japanese driver, who has transitioned to Red Bull, will start in fourteenth after a challenging qualifying run.

“It’s a huge story, having a Japanese driver in one of the top teams. Fans are hopeful,” said Ayao Komatsu, team principal of Haas, reflecting on Tsunoda’s unique opportunity.

The 2025 Japanese Grand Prix begins at 2 p.m. local time (1 a.m. ET) on Sunday, April 6. The race will be broadcast live in the U.S. on ESPN.