Verstappen snatches 'special' pole for Japan GP with lap record

Verstappen clocked a blistering lap of 1min 26.983sec in his Red Bull, 0.012sec ahead of early championship leader Norris, with the other McLaren of Oscar Piastri third. Verstappen has struggled with his car this season and the McLarens dominated all three practice sessions at Suzuka. But Verstappen delivered in his final lap in Saturday qualifying, pipping Norris right at the death. "If you look at how our season started, even during this weekend, it's very unexpected," the Dutchman said of his first pole position of 2025.