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Max Verstappen secures pole for Japanese Grand Prix

Verstappen secures pole for Japanese Grand Prix
© Reuters
Max Verstappen secures pole position for Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix ahead of Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez.

Max Verstappen has secured pole position for Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix ahead of Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez.

After his early retirement in the Australian Grand Prix, Verstappen has extra motivation to get back to the top of the podium at Suzuka.

Although the Dutchman was pushed during Q3, he ultimately had enough to get the better of Perez by just 0.066 seconds.

Lando Norris was an impressive third in the McLaren, albeit almost three tenths of a second adrift of Verstappen.

Carlos Sainz Jr - the winner in Melbourne last month - will start in fourth in his Ferrari, ahead of Spanish compatriot Fernando Alonso who is a place further down the grid in his Aston Martin.

Oscar Piastri, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were separated by just 0.026 seconds in sixth, seventh and eighth respectively, with Hamilton's Mercedes teammate George Russell having to make do with ninth.

RB's Yuki Tsunoda completed the top 10 at his home Grand Prix, while Aston Martin's Lance Stroll was the most notable poor performer courtesy of just 16th spot being earned.

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Written by
Darren Plant

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Max Verstappen at the Abu Dhabi GP on November 25, 2023
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