Formula 1: The Closest Qualifying Session of the Year Held in Japan
In the qualifying session for the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix, Red Bull's Dutch driver, Max Verstappen, clocked the fastest lap, securing the pole position ahead of his teammate, Sergio Pérez, for Sunday's race.
The qualifying at Suzuka featured a major upset with Lance Stroll's Q1 elimination, allowing Yuki Tsunoda a spot in Q3. While Lando Norris' third place finish was a positive surprise, Charles Leclerc finishing eighth was the session's notable disappointment.
Despite Max Verstappen winning the first and third practice sessions, both Red Bulls faced challenges, and with Ferrari seemingly holding back during the Japanese Grand Prix practice sessions, it was uncertain whether the Dutch world champion would secure his fifth consecutive pole. Verstappen completed the first segment with a time faster than his previous pole-winning lap. Notably, the top contenders did not complete two laps in Q1, resulting in Lance Stroll's unexpected departure alongside Pierre Gasly, Kevin Magnussen, Logan Sargeant, and Zhou Guanyu.
THE SECOND SEGMENT OF THE JAPANESE GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING DELIVERED FEWER SURPRISES
In Q2, the Red Bulls further improved, with Verstappen finishing a mere 0.012 seconds ahead of Pérez. The two Mercedes opted for fresh soft tires, thus necessitating another outing, while seven others remained in the pits. Ultimately, nine drivers from the top five teams confidently advanced, with Yuki Tsunoda securing the spot left by Stroll to the delight of the home crowd.
THE EVENTS OF Q3
At the start of the final qualifying segment, Charles Leclerc was still in the pits when the others had completed their first fast laps. At that point, the lineup was Verstappen leading, followed by Norris, Pérez, Sainz, Piastri, Hamilton, Alonso, Russell, and Tsunoda, with a McLaren seemingly poised to split the two Red Bulls.
Leclerc could only advance to seventh place with his single fast lap in Q3, despite a strong second sector. In the final moments, nearly everyone improved their times, with Pérez surpassing Norris and ultimately finishing just 0.066 seconds behind Verstappen, marking the smallest margin of victory for Verstappen in qualifying this year.
Thus, Red Bull secured the front row, followed by Norris, Sainz, Alonso, Piastri, Hamilton, Leclerc, Russell, and Tsunoda making up the top ten.
The Japanese Grand Prix race weekend will culminate in the 53-lap race on Sunday, starting at 7 AM Hungarian time.
Despite Max Verstappen winning the first and third practice sessions, both Red Bulls faced challenges, and with Ferrari seemingly holding back during the Japanese Grand Prix practice sessions, it was uncertain whether the Dutch world champion would secure his fifth consecutive pole. Verstappen completed the first segment with a time faster than his previous pole-winning lap. Notably, the top contenders did not complete two laps in Q1, resulting in Lance Stroll's unexpected departure alongside Pierre Gasly, Kevin Magnussen, Logan Sargeant, and Zhou Guanyu.
THE SECOND SEGMENT OF THE JAPANESE GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING DELIVERED FEWER SURPRISES
In Q2, the Red Bulls further improved, with Verstappen finishing a mere 0.012 seconds ahead of Pérez. The two Mercedes opted for fresh soft tires, thus necessitating another outing, while seven others remained in the pits. Ultimately, nine drivers from the top five teams confidently advanced, with Yuki Tsunoda securing the spot left by Stroll to the delight of the home crowd.
THE EVENTS OF Q3
At the start of the final qualifying segment, Charles Leclerc was still in the pits when the others had completed their first fast laps. At that point, the lineup was Verstappen leading, followed by Norris, Pérez, Sainz, Piastri, Hamilton, Alonso, Russell, and Tsunoda, with a McLaren seemingly poised to split the two Red Bulls.
Leclerc could only advance to seventh place with his single fast lap in Q3, despite a strong second sector. In the final moments, nearly everyone improved their times, with Pérez surpassing Norris and ultimately finishing just 0.066 seconds behind Verstappen, marking the smallest margin of victory for Verstappen in qualifying this year.
Thus, Red Bull secured the front row, followed by Norris, Sainz, Alonso, Piastri, Hamilton, Leclerc, Russell, and Tsunoda making up the top ten.
The Japanese Grand Prix race weekend will culminate in the 53-lap race on Sunday, starting at 7 AM Hungarian time.
Translation:
Translated by AI
