Max Verstappen secures superb pole position at Japanese GP

Double world champion Max Verstappen produced a superb performance to secure pole position in Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix.

The Red Bull driver was back in dominant form after the fifth place in Singapore last time out, finishing 0.581 seconds clear of Oscar Piastri in second, with his McLaren teammate Lando Norris third.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was fourth, ahead of Red Bull's Sergio Perez, who was 0.773 secs slower than teammate Verstappen.

Ferrari's Carlos Sainz was sixth, ahead of Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.

It was Verstappen’s ninth pole of the season but first since the Dutch GP a month ago.

“Incredible weekend so far and especially in qualifying when you can really push it to the limit, the car felt really nice,” Verstappen said.

“We had a bad weekend in Singapore but I already felt from the preparation we had that this was going to be a good track.

“You never know how good it is going to be but from lap one it has felt really nice and to be on pole is fantastic.”

The Dutchman saw his record streak of 10 consecutive wins end at Marina Bay – where Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz was victorious – but looks to be back in winning form at the Suzuka circuit where he clinched his second consecutive drivers' championship last year.

Just one incredible pole lap