The starting grid of the Japanese GP

The starting grid of the Japanese GP opens with world champion Max Verstappen. The Dutchman, following a forgettable weekend in Singapore last week, is back and puts his RB19 back in front of everyone. The Dutchman is the favorite to win, but watch out for the youngster's McLaren Piastres which will snap next to him. Behind him, the other MCL60, that of Norris, and Ferrari with Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque will do everything to reach the podium, but to get it it will be essential to have a good race pace, real unknown this weekend for the Maranello team.

Watch out for Mercedes

Fifth position instead for Sergio Perez. The Mexican is in enormous difficulty qualification, especially if we consider the performance of his teammate, but in the last few events - Singapore excluded, obviously - he has always managed excellent comebacks in the race, thanks also to the power of the RB19. Alongside him there will be the other Ferrari, that of Sainz, not very brilliant in qualifying. Behind them the two Mercedes, with Hamilton in seventh position alongside Russell. The star's team has many problems but in the race it has always been the team that - unlike their opponents - has its greatest asset in its race pace. Will it be enough to have a good GP? The host will instead want to finish in the points, fresh from renovation, Yuki Tsunoda who will start from ninth place, followed by Fernando Alonso.

Lawson dreams, Alpine doesn't give up

Eleventh place for Liam Lawson. The AlphaTauri driver will not have an F1 seat next season, but if he continues like this - while waiting for Ricciardo - we can guarantee that his imminent return to the Circus is not ruled out. However, the two Alpine teams are in difficulty Gasly who will start twelfth, while his teammate Ocon fourteenth. In the middle, or rather next to Ocon, is Alexander Albon.

To close the starting grid

At the back of the grid is Kevin Magnussen in fifteenth position, alongside the disappointing Alfa Romeo of Valtteri Bottas who was unable to reconfirm the tenth position achieved yesterday in FP2. Behind him Lance Stroll, still in too much trouble if we consider the car he has at his disposal, with Hulkenberg's Haas next to him. Guanyu Zhou and Logan Sargeant close the ranking. This is the starting grid for the Japanese GP: will Verstappen return to success? Who will get on the podium? Make an appointment and wake up early to find out, with the traffic lights going out scheduled for 07.00 am.

The starting grid of the Japanese GP