SUZUKA, JAPAN: Four-time world champion Max Verstappen smashed the track record to snatch pole position for Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris, as Yuki Tsunoda qualified a lowly 15th in his Red Bull debut.
Verstappen clocked a blistering lap of 1min 26.983sec in his Red Bull, 0.012sec ahead of championship leader Norris, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri third.
Verstappen set a new Suzuka track record with his final lap in Saturday’s qualifying, pipping Norris right at the death.
“Each session we kept making little improvements, then the last lap was flat out,” said Verstappen, who has won the Japanese GP for the last three years.
“In a Formula One car around here is insane. This is a proper highlight for us to be back on pole here.”
It was Verstappen’s first pole position of the season.
The Dutchman is still looking for his first grand prix win of the new campaign.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was fourth ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell, with Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli sixth and RB’s Isack Hadjar seventh.
Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton was eighth, followed by Williams’s Alex Albon and Haas’s Oliver Bearman.
Norris is looking for his second grand prix win of the season, after triumphing in the season opener in Australia.
He finished second behind Piastri in China a fortnight ago in a dominant start to the campaign for McLaren.
“I’m happy, congrats to Max, he did a good job,” said Norris.
“You have to credit something when it is a lap that good that he must have done. I got everything out of the car today, the gaps are tiny.
“Good but not enough.”
Tsunoda was eliminated in Q2 in a disappointing first qualifying drive for Red Bull after being promoted in place of Liam Lawson last week.
The Japanese driver finished one place behind Lawson, who returned to RB after just two races for Red Bull in a ruthless driver swap.
Verstappen has not looked comfortable this week and he again complained to his team over the radio in Q1.
“I still have the same problem, the tires are not gripping on the front,” the Dutchman said.
Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, Williams’s Carlos Sainz and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso were eliminated in Q2 along with Lawson and Tsunoda.
Sauber pair Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, Haas’s Esteban Ocon, Alpine’s Jack Doohan and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll were all eliminated in Q1.
Doohan’s practice on Friday ended when he crashed heavily into a barrier and mechanics had to work through the night to repair his badly damaged car.
Qualifying was suspended for about eight minutes in Q2 when a small trackside fire broke out as sparks from the cars ignited the grass in the dry conditions.
It was the fifth such incident of the weekend, with the second and third practice sessions also disrupted by fires.
Rain has been forecast for Sunday’s race.

JEDDAH: The Jeddah Corniche Karting Circuit successfully concluded its “Karting Experience” event on Tuesday with the participation of over 100 children from the Al-Bir Charity Organization, the Children with Disability Association, and foster and social welfare families.

The initiative is a part of the Formula 1 stc Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2025 social impact community programs, in collaboration with the Saudi Motorsport Co.

It is designed to inspire and educate children from Jeddah’s charity and welfare organizations by introducing them to karting while enhancing their enjoyment and enthusiasm for motorsports.

The event was held across several days in March and was attended by Mansour Al-Mokbel, CEO of the Saudi Motorsport Co. and Jaman Al-Zahrani, assistant director-general for development at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in the Makkah Region.

Also in attendance was Maha Al-Buqami, director of the Social Responsibility Department at the ministry in Makkah.

With a range of activities designed to introduce them to the fundamentals of the sport, the youth were able get behind the wheel and drive the karts and learn about key safety measures.

Al-Mokbel stated: “This initiative allows youth to discover the joy of karting while learning essential skills that could pave the way for new opportunities in their future.”

“We will continue to support initiatives that encourage young people to engage in sports, discover their talents, and contribute to the development of a vibrant and thriving sporting community.

“By introducing young people to motorsport, we are not only fostering their passion but also opening doors for them to become future champions who will represent the Kingdom with pride on the global stage,” he added.

Al-Zahrani stated: “This event truly reflects our commitment to providing children from charitable and social associations with opportunities to participate in exceptional sports, helping them develop key athletic skills while instilling values of resilience, perseverance, and creativity.”

Preparations are currently underway for the Formula 1 stc Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2025, the fifth round of the Formula 1 World Championship, set to be held at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit from April 18 to 20.