Qualification pulled this morning in Suzuki circuit. In the land of the rising sun, no changeover has been discounted. Unlike FP1 e FP2 the asphalt was dry, and it was Max who took pole Verstappen, with the two Ferrari which surprise arriving at a few thousandths from the start to the pole.
Max Verstappen begins to dream
The world champion takes a pole position that is not as obvious as it might have seemed in Suzuka. The victory with the fastest lap will be enough for Max to repeat the title, nothing impossible given the performance of its RB18. The Dutchman made the difference in the last sector, finishing the lap in 1:29.304. Max has become the protagonist of a dangerous episode: No. 1 discarded to the left while throwing, e Norris (tenth), also in launch, overtook him from the left side, ending up on the grass to avoid contact. To be evaluated if there will be penalties on the grid for the champion, 10:00 both are summoned by the FIA . Sergius Perez it loses the touch it showed in Singapore and he settles for fourth position, four tenths behind his teammate.
Leclerc one millimeter from Verstappen
Again Charles Leclerc makes the horse fans dream. The little prince did a breathtaking lap in the last attempt in Q3, however, it wasn't enough to grab the first box. only 10 tenths that separate the Monegasque and Max🇧🇷 Carlos Sainz he didn't miss the appeal, once again thrilling the Ferraristi. The Spanish has closed 57 thousandths from pole, confirming its solidity in this second part of the season. The Scuderia played smart saving a set of new soft tires in Q2, taking a risk especially with Leclerc who risked not passing the final cut.
The first of the others: who closes the top 10?
Alpine does great sandwiching the Mercedes of Hamilton, with Or with fifth ed Alonso seventh. Behind the Asturian there is Russell. The home of the star has worked on the race pace giving up qualifying to seek a relaunch in the constructors' standings, betting on one race that could be wet. To close the top 10 there are a magical Vettel, which in its last Suzuka takes the ninth square; and Englishman Lando Norris dragging his McLaren into the tenth box, just in front of the partner.
The situation in the rear
The challenger Suzuka put the riders' nerves to the test. The challenge to stay out of the last five positions was very tense. Not to escape the slums of the grid are there Albon with Williams in 16th position, while the other blue single-seater by Latifs; 19th Stroll with her Aston Martin; 18th Magnussen which for once is beaten by Schumacher (15th), at risk for 2023 the German; a freshly signed Pierre Gasly remains in 17th position after complaining brake problems, same fate for the partner tsunoda who, however, manages to pass the first cut and place himself in 13th place. 14th to 12th for Alfa Romeo, with the veteran Bottas before Zhou. Daniel Ricciardo he doesn't get into Q3 for nothing: 3 thousandths, settling for 11th position.
