Formula 1
THE DOMINATOR IS BACK! TAKING POLE AT SUZUKA BY SIX TENTHS, MCLAREN UPGRADES PRODUCING RESULTS WITH PIASTRI AND NORRIS RIGHT BEHIND.
Max Verstappen stormed to pole position for Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka with a sublime performance as Oracle Red Bull Racing teammate Sergio Pérez banked fifth place.
Verstappen clocked 1m 28.877s on his second run in Q3 to finish ahead of the two McLarens, while home favourite Yuki Tsunoda drove superbly for ninth and Scuderia AlphaTauri teammate Liam Lawson earned 11th.
SUZUKA, JAPAN – SEPTEMBER 23: A Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri fan shows their support prior to dqualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka International Racing Course on September 23, 2023 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool.
MAX… “It’s been a crazy weekend so far, we’ve been on another level. The car was on the rails and I could really push it to the limit. I fully sent it today. When the car is good it makes the track feel even more special, it really bought a big smile to my face. I only had three sets of new tyres so had to be careful with how I used them. Looking ahead to tomorrow, degradation will be high so we need to look after our tyres. It won’t be straightforward that’s for sure. The aim is to win the Constructors Championship this weekend, especially on Honda’s home turf.”
Oscar Piastri will on Sunday become just the fifth Australian to start a Formula One race on the front row after qualifying second for the Japanese Grand Prix on Saturday.
“Such an impressive result for Oscar Piastri to outqualify Lando Norris around Suzuka,” Sky Sports F1’s Anthony Davidson said in commentary.
“And such an impressive result for McLaren as a whole. You’ve got to be happy for them.”
Speaking to Sky Sports after the result, Piastri still pointed out a few areas of improvement despite an all-round strong performance from the 22-year-old.
Oscar Piastri, McLaren, and Lando Norris, McLaren, after Qualifying
OSCAR…“The first lap was pretty solid. I was happy with it,” Piastri said. “The first chicane I could have done a bit of a better job but it was a good lap. “Second lap my first sector was good and the next two sectors not so good. But happy to end in P2, it has been a really good weekend for the team so far.
“We have got upgrades on the car, they are quick, and we thought we would have a decent chance around here. But you’ve still got to make it happen and so happy to be second and the team second and third.”