18 h. ago Lando Norris shows true colours with reaction after Max Verstappen's shock Suzuka pole

Max Verstappen beat both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix, breaking Sebastian Vettel's previous Suzuka lap record in the process

Events

20 h. ago Max Verstappen pips Lando Norris to F1 Japanese GP pole with stunning lap

Red Bull driver exceeds expectations in unpredictable carBeats McLaren’s Norris by one hundredth of a secondMax Verstappen claimed pole for the Japanese Grand Prix with an immense lap for Red Bull at Suzuka, beating the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri into second and third. Charles Leclerc was fourth for Ferrari, with his teammate Lewis Hamilton eighth. George Russell and Kimi Antonelli were fifth and sixth for Mercedes.The pole will be of no little relief to Verstappen and Red Bull and was very much against expectations, given that the car had not looked as strong as the McLaren or Mercedes in the opening rounds, nor at Suzuka this weekend. It demonstrated that given full rein, the RB21 is still a quick car and may yet be a title contender. McLaren looked strongest by some way in practice but when let fully off the leash at Suzuka in a tightly contested fight it was Verstappen and Red Bull who had the edge, setting up a fascinating fight for Sunday. Continue reading...

Politics

20 h. ago ‘Special one’: Max Verstappen pips Lando Norris to F1 Japanese GP pole

Red Bull driver’s ‘great little surprise’ in unpredictable carMcLaren’s Norris beaten by one hundredth of a secondMax Verstappen delivered a salutary lesson to anyone who might consider his Formula One world championship defence a forlorn hope with one of the best qualifying performances of his career in claiming pole for the Japanese Grand Prix.In a car that is a handful to drive, at a circuit where precision and total commitment go hand in hand, Verstappen wrestled the beast through what was no less than a champion’s drive. Continue reading...

Politics

20 h. ago Max Verstappen leaves McLarens behind to claim Japanese Grand Prix pole position

McLaren had set the pace by topping all three practice sessions this weekend.

Sport

21 h. ago F1 Japanese GP qualifying result: Who took pole position as Lando Norris misses out

Team-mates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were the clear favourites for pole at the Japanese Grand Prix after McLaren dominated practice ahead of the Suzuka race

Politics

24 h. ago Grass fires again disrupt Japanese Grand Prix practice as Lando Norris sets pace

It took just six minutes for Saturday’s running in the Suzuka sunshine to be brought to a halt.

Sport

43 h. ago Japan GP practice stopped four times but Tsunoda still delivers for Red Bull

Four red flags include two fires and Doohan crashTsunoda close behind Verstappen; Norris heads timesWith the weight of a nation on his shoulders and under the most intense scrutiny of his career, Japan’s Yuki Tsunoda delivered with no little finesse in practice for the Japanese Grand Prix in his first outing for Red Bull. Lando Norris meanwhile appears well set to further advance his world championship ambitions, with a strong showing at Suzuka for McLaren, despite a second session interrupted by no fewer than four red flags, two caused by trackside fires.Tsunoda was drafted in from sister outfit Racing Bulls only last week to replace Liam Lawson, who the team unceremoniously demoted after just two races. The 24-year-old has four seasons in F1 under his belt but has never driven this year’s Red Bull before and it is a notoriously hard car to handle, as Lawson discovered. Continue reading...

Politics

43 h. ago Japan F1 GP practice stopped four times but Tsunoda still delivers for Red Bull

Four red flags include two fires and Doohan crashTsunoda close behind Verstappen; Norris heads timesWith the weight of a nation on his shoulders and under the most intense scrutiny of his career, Japan’s Yuki Tsunoda delivered with no little finesse in practice for the Japanese Grand Prix in his first outing for Red Bull. Lando Norris, meanwhile, appears well set to further advance his world championship ambitions, with a strong showing at Suzuka for McLaren, despite a second session interrupted by no fewer than four red flags, two caused by trackside fires.Tsunoda was drafted in from the sister team, Racing Bulls, only last week to replace Liam Lawson, whom the team unceremoniously demoted after just two races. The 24-year-old has four seasons in F1 under his belt but has never driven this year’s Red Bull before and it is a notoriously hard car to handle, as Lawson discovered. Continue reading...

Politics

48 h. ago Lando Norris survives early scare to lead practice times in Japan

Norris was 0.163 seconds clear of Mercedes’ George Russell.

Events

2 w. ago Lewis Hamilton seals first Ferrari pole position for Chinese Grand Prix sprint race

Seven-time world champion pips Max Verstappen to top spot to quickly banish memories of difficult Scuderia debut in Australia

Sport