Japanese GP - Qualifying

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MSC Cruises Japanese GP

Qualifying

April 6, 2024

Max Verstappen Secures Pole for Japanese GP, Perez and Norris Round Out the Top Three

Max Verstappen clinched his fourth straight pole position of the season in qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix, narrowly edging out his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez by a mere 0.066 seconds.

Following his fast lap, Verstappen commented over the radio, "Not bad, not bad! Could've been a better lap but doesn't matter, it was still P1."

Verstappen’s previous race in Australia ended prematurely due to a brake fire, but he’s poised for a strong comeback in Japan, showcasing Red Bull's dominance at the Suzuka circuit during Saturday’s qualifying.

He remarked to former F1 driver Jean Alesi after the session, "Yeah it was quite close at the end,"

"Overall, I think this track is very sensitive with the tyres with the tarmac being really aggressive when you really want to go to the limit, it doesn't always work out. But nevertheless what is important is to be on pole."

Perez, who qualified second, noted, "I think we've been really close all weekend, really close through qualifying as well and when you are in that little margins, anything can make a difference.

"I didn't have a great exit opening up the lap, so that could've been the difference but we are in a good position for tomorrow. Our long run pace hasn't been that strong this morning but hopefully tomorrow we can be strong."

McLaren's Lando Norris secured third on the grid, clocking in 0.2 seconds behind Verstappen, while Carlos Sainz, the Australian Grand Prix winner, will start fourth, just behind Norris.

Fernando Alonso demonstrated strong performance and managed to place his Aston Martin fifth, with McLaren's Oscar Piastri, celebrating his 23rd birthday, securing sixth.

Mercedes showed improved competitiveness in Japan, with Lewis Hamilton starting seventh, although he was still 0.569 seconds slower than Verstappen. Hamilton will start ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who struggled to keep pace with Sainz and only had one lap in Q3 due to earlier tire usage issues.

George Russell will line up ninth for Mercedes, ahead of Yuki Tsunoda, who continued his strong season performance with the 10th fastest time.

Daniel Ricciardo narrowly missed a top-ten spot, ending 11th, just 0.055 seconds behind Tsunoda. He’ll start ahead of Nico Hulkenberg, who impressed with a 12th-place finish in his Haas.

Valtteri Bottas qualified 13th for Sauber, followed by Alex Albon of Williams and Esteban Ocon of Alpine.

Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll did not progress past Q1, ending the session 0.8 seconds slower than his teammate Alonso. He will start from 16th, ahead of Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Kevin Magnussen, who will begin in 18th.

Logan Sargeant, who missed the Australian Grand Prix, was unable to complete the qualifying session.

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Japanese GP 2024 Qualifying Results

Disqualified from Q1

16. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin (1:30.024)

17. Pierre Gasly, Alpine (1:30.119)

18. Kevin Magnussen, Haas (1:30.131)

19. Logan Sargeant, Williams (1:30.139)

20. Zhou Guanyu, Sauber (1:30.143)

Disqualified from Q2

11. Daniel Ricciardo, RB (1:30.278)

12. Nico Hülkenberg, Haas (1:29.494)

13. Valtteri Bottas, Sauber (1:29.593)

14. Alexander Albon, Williams (1:29.714)

15. Esteban Ocon, Alpine (1:29.816)

Top 10 Qualifying from Japanese GP 2024

1. Max Verstappen, Red Bull (1:28.197)

2. Sergio Pérez, Red Bull (1:28.263)

3. Lando Norris, McLaren (1:28.489)

4. Carlos Sainz, Ferrari (1:28.682)

5. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin (1:28.686)

6. Oscar Piastri, McLaren (1:28.760)

7. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes (1:28.766)

8. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari (1:28.786)

9. George Russell, Mercedes (1:29.008)

10. Yuki Tsunoda, RB (1:29.413)