Everything is ready for the 16th qualifying of the season on the iconic circuit Suzuka, the only one in the shape of an 8 in the calendar. After an unexpectedly subdued weekend, Max Verstappen he is hungrier than ever to get back in front of everyone: three first places in the first three free practices.
They chase them McLaren, who will try to annoy the world champion after placing second and third in FP3. THE Ferrari try to continue Singapore's form, after two second places in the FP1 and in FP2.
The Maranello team and Mercedes (with Hamilton chasing the fifth pole on Japanese soil to reach Sebastian Vettel) will try to prevent the Red Bull di celebrate the sixth constructors' title here, but it will be difficult. Mercedes must score one point more than the Austrian team, Ferrari 24. Below is the report on qualifying.
Q1: bang for Sargeant!
With nine minutes to go, when almost half of the drivers have not yet set a time (including the two Ferraris), Sargeant goes to the wall violently before the straight. It goes out like this Red flag to allow the stewards to clear the track of debris from his Williams.
At the checkered flag, his teammate, Alex Albon, manages to get into Q2 with a great performance eliminate Bottas. Together with the Finnish, they also come out Stroll (17th), Hulkenberg (18th), Zhou (19th) and Sergeant, last timeless.
Excellent performance from Lawson, fourth at the end of the session, while the Ferraris and McLarens play the role of second force behind Verstappen. Third and sixth times for the reds, second and fifth for the Woking team.
Q2: Leclerc wins, but they are all close
Leclerc he concludes the second part of qualifying ahead of everyone. Verstappen (with one attempt less) is second at 24 thousandths, then a good Perez just one thousandth behind his teammate. Piastres (sixth) e Norris (ninth) they risk not taking to the track for the last attempt but the move pays off: they will have an extra set of tyres.
Excellent work by tsunoda, seventh in the home race, while his teammate Lawson remains excluding for just 43 thousandths. Mocked too gasly (out in 12th position by 44 thousandths) e Albon (thirteenth, just 72 thousandths from the top 10). With them, they are also eliminated Or with (P14) and Magnussen (P15).
In Q3, pole will be contested, in order: Leclerc, Verstappen, Perez, Hamilton, Sainz, Piastri, Tsunoda, Russell, Norris and Alonso.
Q3: Verstappen returns to the front of everyone
After the first attempt in Q3, Verstappen precedes the two McLarens of Piastri and Norris. Fourth time for Perez, almost a second and a half behind his teammate. Alonso, Russell and the two Ferraris give up setting a time as they only have one set of new soft tyres: they will play it all in thelast chance.
Russell e Alonso they choose to launch while everyone else is in the pits: the Englishman from Mercedes reaches fourth place, the Spaniard from Aston Martin is sixth. Now, however, they have to wait and see what the other drivers do in the second attempt.
The checkered flag drops and it's over Verstappen il poleman of the qualifications of the Japanese GP. Piastres e Norris they follow the world champion, with Perez (fifth) to divide the Ferraris of Leclerc (fourth) and Sainz (sixth). The two complete the top 10 Mercedes of Hamilton and Russell, then tsunoda e Alonso.
This is how the qualifications for the Japanese GP come to an end, the appointment is tomorrow morning at 7 is preferably used for race!
