‘Insane’ Max Verstappen lap leads to shock F1 pole for Japanese GP

With all eyes on McLaren, Max Verstappen has dropped an “insane” lap to grab pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen ripped out an “insane” lap to grab a shock pole position for what has already been a wild weekend ahead of Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix.

After four red flags and a series of grass fires on Friday, more fires were on the side of the track on Saturday before qualifying got underway.

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Once the final 10 drivers got on the track for the third qualifying session, all eyes were on a McLaren team that has dominated this year’s championship.

But Red Bull superstar Verstappen shocked everyone by setting a new lap record of 1:26.983 and grabbing another pole in Japan.

“From absolutely nowhere, Max Verstappen has shown why he’s a four-time world champion to take pole here for the fourth consecutive year and that was a quality lap,” David Croft screamed on Fox Sports.

Max Verstappen (left) grabbed pole ahead of third placed qualifier Oscar Piastri. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

“That is the biggest surprise Suzuka has delivered for many years.”

After a result no one saw coming, the Red Bull team couldn’t hide its delight.

“Max, insane. That is insane. Pole position,” team principal Christian Horner said over team radio.

“What a lap Max. Unbelievable, you’ve done it. Pure class mate, pure class.”

Verstappen replied: “Yes! Let’s go! Wow, what a lap. Yes guys.”

Lando Norris will start from second on the grid, with McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri right behind him.

Australia’s Piastri showed his pace and laid down an early marker by recording what was then a Suzuka lap record of 1:27.052 to start the final session.

Oscar Piastri will start from third on Sunday. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama, Pool)

Piastri, who turns 24 on Sunday and won the Chinese Grand Prix two weeks ago, then made a mistake on his final shot at pole to slip to third.

“Piastri will be disappointed,” Croft added. “He had provisional pole and a mistake on turn two has cost him.”

The young Aussie knew he’d missed an opportunity on his last qualifying lap.

“The car felt good through most of qualifying and especially the start of Q3, that was a good lap,” he said.

“Just the last lap, it didn’t quite come together as I wanted, but incredibly tight margins, I think it’s still all to play for tomorrow and we’ve got a great car.

Lando Norris grabbed second place on the grid for McLaren. (Photo by MOHD RASFAN / AFP)

“A little bit more left on the table and we’ll try again tomorrow.”

Jack Doohan, the other Aussie on the grid, dropped out in Q1 and will start from 19th on the grid on Sunday.

Doohan was fortunate to walk away from a massive crash in the second practice session at the Suzuka circuit on Friday.

But his team worked around the clock to get the car ready to at least compete on Saturday.

Sunday’s race gets underway at 3pm AEDT.

Top 10 qualifying

1) Max Verstappen

2) Lando Norris

3) Oscar Piastri

4) Charles Leclerc

5) George Russell

6) Andrea Kimi Antonelli

7) Isack Hadjar

8) Lewis Hamilton

9) Alex Albon

10) Oliver Bearman

Originally published as ‘Insane’ Max Verstappen lap leads to shock F1 pole for Japanese GP