Suzuka; Oscar Piastri; F1 results, schedule, time, tickets, map, track; Formula 1; McLaren; Ferrari; Max Verstappen; Lando Norris; Lewis Hamilton

The McLarens have been setting the pace through the early stages of the season, and did so again through each of the three practice sessions in Suzuka until Max Verstappen intervened.

The Red Bull star set a new Suzuka lap record to become the fourth different pole sitter from four qualifying sessions so far (the others being Lando Norris in Australia, Lewis Hamilton for the sprint race in China, and Oscar Piastri for the Chinese Grand Prix).

Verstappen set an absurd 1:26.983 to set the fastest time in Suzuka history – no mean feat, given how fast this track truly is, and how he wasn’t exactly thrilled with his Red Bull throughout practice.

It’s continued the Dutchman’s love affair with the famous Japanese circuit, too. Incredibly, he hasn’t been beaten either in a race or qualifying at Suzuka since 2019.

“If you look at how our season started – even during this weekend, yeah, it’s very unexpected,” Verstappen said of his qualifying performance.

“And I think that makes it, probably, a very special one.

“It’s insane.”

Norris also went sub-1:27.000 to claim this year’s other front-row position, with Piastri just behind with a 1:27.027.

“I felt good through most of qualifying, especially at the start of Q3,” the Australian star told broadcasters.

“The last lap didn’t quite come together as I wanted.

“But [these are] incredibly tight margins, so yeah, I think it’s all to play for.

“Max has obviously done a great job to end up on pole, but I think we’ve still got a great car for tomorrow and still in the fight for the win.”

With AAP, AP