A “magical” final lap from Max Verstappen propelled the Red Bull driver to pole position for Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix, knocking the much-fancied McLarens off top spot, much to everyone’s surprise.
Verstappen had been complaining all weekend about his car’s lack of balance and front-end grip. But when it mattered the 27-year-old was supreme again, setting a new lap record around Suzuka.
Verstappen, who was running noticeably less downforce than new teammate Yuki Tsunoda, clocked a 1:26.983 to beat McLaren’s Lando Norris by one hundredth of a second. It was his first pole since Austria last summer.