For the first time this Formula 1 season, a McLaren will not start on pole position for a Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen surprised the grid, and himself, by snatching pole position ahead of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri for the Japanese Grand Prix. While Verstappen admitted earlier this week that he was lacking “confidence” in the RB21, Red Bull’s challenger for the 2025 season, the defending Drivers’ champion delivered one of his most impressive qualifying performances, taking P1 away from the blazing McLaren duo.
Still, Norris and Piastri will be right behind him when the lights go out in Suzuka, looking to make it three wins in three grands
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