F1 Japanese GP live commentary and updates – Qualifying
Join us for live coverage of F1 qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix
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Leclerc also jumps Russell for third. It's a poor lap from Lando Norris, he is only fifth.
Norris needs to find one tenth compared to his Q2 time to match Piastri. You'd think that needs to be doable, but Piastri also has another shot.
Hamilton has also been fighting the oversteering Ferrari and is only sixth. Antonelli has had a poor lap and is provisional 10th.
Two minutes on the clock, one more shot. Bearman is the first across the line ahead of the two Mercs, Piastri will be the last in the queue.
Russell can't do it, a poor first sector leaves him fifth!
Norris goes to the top
Provisional pole for Norris!
Verstappen stuns McLaren with pole
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT. Out of absolutely nowhere Max Verstappen takes a fourth straight pole at Suzuka!
Verstappen shades Norris by 0.012s. It is centimetres, but it is enough. Piastri is only 0.044s behind as well in third.
Verstappen is beside himself with that magical lap, jubilant on the team radio. It really came out of nowhere, going much quicker than his previous effort. That Red Bull should not be up there.
Leclerc is fourth ahead of Russell and Antonelli. Hadjar beats Hamilton to seventh, a great effort by the Frenchman after that seat belt drama.
Albon and Bearman settle for the fifth row.
Norris and Piastri look stunned. Their laps were pretty good, but then Max does Max things.
Verstappen says he is as surprised as we are. "That last lap was just flat out on the limit or even over the limit in places. It's insane."
Norris: "Hats off to Max. You have to credit a lap that good. Was there that much in [the car]? Yes, but an amazing lap by Max. My lap was very good."
Piastri: "The last lap just didn't quite come together as I wanted, but incredibly tight margins. A bit more left on the table. We've got good pace. The others have not been as far away as people think. But we have a great car for tomorrow to fight for the win."
Verstappen's 1m26.983s is a new track record at Suzuka.
Pedantically, it's not a lap record. That is the fastest lap set in a race. Just saying!
The Dutch lion roars.
I'd like to remind you rain is on the cards for tomorrow's race. Will it be another wet weather Verstappen masterclass or will Norris and Piastri use their car's intrisically superior race pace to get past him?
What do you think?
Verstappen beats Norris and Piastri to pole, grass fires strike again
Mark Mann-Bryans has no doubt had to re-write the top of his qualifying report after that Verstappen lap, here is his offering.
Sainz and Hamilton are off to the stewards over the Spaniard impeding his Ferrari replacement. It was Sainz and not Albon in the Williams as we mistakenly said at the time.
Verstappen: "At Turns 7, 8 and Spoon I was hoping the car would stick. Seeing my name pop up at the top was a nice moment."
We will be hearing from all the drivers shortly in the mixed zone. As always you'll be able to read the most noteworthy reactions and breaking news from Suzuka on the website.
We'll wrap it up here, see you back here tomorrow for the third race of the season. The prospect of rain. Verstappen on pole. Two McLarens hounding him. Bring it on.
The race starts at 6:00am GMT, that is 7:00am BST or 8:00 CEST. See you then!
By: Filip Cleeren
