
Max Verstappen, the three-time defending Formula 1 champion, showed no signs of concern as he secured pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix. Verstappen's rear brakes had caught fire during the Australian GP, but he confidently dismissed any worries leading up to this race.
In Saturday's qualifying session at Suzuka, Verstappen clocked an impressive time of 1 minute 28.197 seconds, edging out his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez by a mere 0.066 seconds. This marked Verstappen's fourth pole position of the season and the 36th of his career.