Red Bull Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen will start the 2025 edition of the Japanese Grand Prix from pole position.

An almighty final Q3 lap from Verstappen allowed him to overhaul the two seemingly-dominant McLarens, giving him his first grand prix pole since June ’24 and the new Suzuka F1 record pole laptime to boot.

Team-mate Yuki Tsunoda showed early promise but ended up 15th for his Red Bull debut.

Provisional Japanese GP starting grid

1 Max Verstappen (Red Bull)2 Lando Norris (McLaren)3 Oscar Piastri (McLaren)4 Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)5 George Russell (Mercedes)6 Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)7 Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)8 Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)9 Alex Albon (Williams)10 Ollie Bearman (Haas)11 Pierre Gasly (Alpine)12 Carlos Sainz (Williams)13 Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)14 Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)15 Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)16 Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) 17 Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)18 Esteban Ocon (Haas)19 Jack Doohan (Alpine)

20 Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)