Kieran Jackson5 April 2025 09:10
“An outstanding lap, he’s extracted every ounce of performance – getting that pole position was completely against the run of form, brilliant for the team.
“Max didn’t leave anything on the table, that was one of his best laps in qualifying ever
“Max has been working so hard behind the scenes with the team, that lap is down to him today.”
On Yuki: “That last run, he was too quick into turn 1, had a big moment in turn 2, it was a shame – I think he would have comfortably made the top-10 today.”
“Car felt good through most of qualifying – the last lap, didn’t quite come together as I wanted but incredibly tight margins, it’s still all to play for tomorrow. A little bit more left on the table… try again tomorrow.
“We’ve got good pace, the others have not been as far away as people think – this morning was pretty tight, it’s not a massive surprise. Max has done a great job to end up on pole, we’ve got a great car for tomorrow.
“Our pace has been good in all conditions.”
“I’m happy, congrats to Max, he did a good job, hat’s off. Got to credit a lap that good. I got everything out of the car today, it’s tiny, Max did an amazing lap. For both of us to be up there is good but not enough.
“That’s the goal, no-one knows what the weather will do tomorrow. It will be an exciting race, I’ve been there before, excited for it.
Kieran Jackson5 April 2025 08:33
On pole position: “We tried the best we could to get the best possible balance, every session we made little improvements, that’s where we made the difference – the last lap was flat out.
“Being around here being on the limit or even over it is very rewarding.
“This is a proper highlight for us to be back on pole here, we will look to tomorrow, we’ll do our very best.”
A new lap record at Suzuka, too, and Verstappen will start from pole in a grand prix for the first time since Austria 2024!
(Getty Images)
1. Max Verstappen – 1:26:983
4. Charles Leclerc +0.316
Kieran Jackson5 April 2025 08:17
GP: “That is insane, pole position!”
MV: “Yes let’s go! What a lap, yes guys! Yeah, I’m really happy!”
Kieran Jackson5 April 2025 08:11
Out of nothing, Verstappen takes pole!
Lando Norris thought he’d done it at the end, before a magic final sector from the Dutchman – 0.012 secs ahead of Norris overall!
3-10: Piastri, Leclerc, Russell, Antonelli, Hadjar, Hamilton, Albon, Bearman
Kieran Jackson5 April 2025 08:10
All 10 drivers out there on new soft tyres then for these final runs!
I think the order could shake-up big time here… 2:00 to go in Q3!
Kieran Jackson5 April 2025 08:06
Gosh, bit of a shock after the first laps!
Piastri on provisional pole with a 1:27:052, two-tenths ahead of Max Verstappen in second!
Lando Norris down in P5! What happened to the Brit?! He’ll have one more chance…
3-10: Leclerc, Russell, Norris, Hamilton, Hadjar, Bearman, Albon, Antonelli
Kieran Jackson5 April 2025 08:03
