OFFICIAL GRID: Who starts where in Japan, with Verstappen on pole at Suzuka

Max Verstappen loves Suzuka, as shown by his superb pole lap for Red Bull. The question now is will he be able to stay ahead of the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri when the lights go out in Japan.

Or could the joker in the starting pack be Charles Leclerc? The Ferrari star is fourth on the grid, four spots up on team mate Lewis Hamilton. Between the scarlet cars sit the Mercedes duo of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, and the Racing Bulls machine of rookie Isack Hadjar.

REPORT: Verstappen clinches stunning pole position ahead of Norris and Piastri in Japanese GP Qualifying

Completing the top 10 are Williams’ Alex Albon and the Haas of Oliver Bearman. Albon’s team mate Carlos Sainz had been due to start 12th, but has been penalised three places for impeding Hamilton during Qualifying.

And what of the home favourite Yuki Tsunoda you ask? The Japanese driver will start his first Grand Prix for Red Bull from P14 – one place behind the man he replaced at the team, Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson.

The 2025 Japanese Grand Prix starts at 1400 local time. Be sure to join our live coverage from 1300 here.

DISCOVER MORE...

FP2: Piastri leads Norris as McLaren dominate second practice in Bahrain

F1 EXPLAINS: Ask an F1 Team Principal with Williams boss James Vowles

NEED TO KNOW: The most important facts, stats and trivia ahead of the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix

BETTING GUIDE: Who are the favourites as F1 heads to Bahrain?

EXCLUSIVE: Perez reveals talks with ‘a few’ teams as he hints at possible F1 return