Max Verstappen achieved pole position at the Japanese Grand Prix with a record lap time, narrowly beating Lando Norris. This marked Verstappen’s first pole of the season, while Norris aims for his second win this year. Yuki Tsunoda struggled in his Red Bull debut, qualifying 15th. The qualifying session was interrupted by trackside fires, and rain is expected for the race.
In the lead-up to the Japanese Grand Prix, four-time world champion Max Verstappen secured pole position, recording an impressive lap time of 1 minute 26.983 seconds. This performance placed him just 0.012 seconds ahead of championship leader Lando Norris, while Oscar Piastri from McLaren achieved third position. Verstappen’s record-breaking lap solidified his prowess on this circuit, further enhanced by his recent victories at the event.
Verstappen expressed satisfaction with his qualifying effort, stating, “Each session we kept making little improvements, then the last lap was flat out.” He noted the intensity of driving a Formula One car at Suzuka, highlighting the significance of achieving pole position at this venue, where he has previously won thrice.
Despite this success, it marked Verstappen’s first pole of the season, as he continues to pursue his first win of the current campaign. Following Verstappen and Norris, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc qualified fourth, with Mercedes’ George Russell fifth. Rounding out the top ten were Kimi Antonelli from Mercedes, Isack Hadjar from Red Bull, Lewis Hamilton, Alex Albon from Williams, and Oliver Bearman from Haas.
Norris, aiming for his second win of the season after triumphing in Australia, acknowledged Verstappen’s accomplishment, stating, “I’m happy, congrats to Max, he did a good job.” He praised the quality of Verstappen’s lap, mentioning that he extracted the maximum performance from his car, even though he felt it was not sufficient to secure the pole.
Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda, making his Red Bull debut, faced challenges by qualifying in 15th position, finishing one spot behind Liam Lawson, who was recently reinstated after a two-race stint. Concerns were raised as Verstappen reported issues with tire grip, indicating he had not felt at ease throughout the week.
Instances of trackside fires during the qualifying sessions caused brief interruptions, notably suspending Q2 for approximately eight minutes. Multiple drivers faced elimination both in Q2 and Q1, including Pierre Gasly, Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso, and Jack Doohan, who had recently sustained damage during practice. The forecast for rain on race day adds an additional layer of unpredictability to the upcoming event.
In summary, Max Verstappen displayed exceptional skill by claiming pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix, setting a new track record. This accomplishment reinstates his competitive edge as he seeks his first win of the season. Noteworthy performances from Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri showcase McLaren’s strong showing. With qualifying marred by incidents and forecasts of rain, the race promises to be an exciting challenge for all drivers.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
