Max Verstappen described his pole lap for the Japanese Grand Prix as `very special` after outperforming McLaren`s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to secure the first position.
This marks Verstappen`s 41st pole position in Formula 1, with Red Bull team principal Christian Horner considering it `one of his best ever`.
Verstappen, currently trailing Norris by eight points in the Drivers` Championship, aims to convert this pole into a victory in the upcoming race at Suzuka.
`I’ve had some really nice ones also in other places,` the reigning world champion commented.
`But considering how our season started, and even this weekend, it`s quite unexpected, I would say. That`s what makes this one feel particularly special.`
So, where does Verstappen`s latest pole position stand among his 41 career poles? Let`s revisit some of his other exceptional qualifying laps to consider.
Dutch Grand Prix 2021
During the intense 2021 title battle, Verstappen, fueled by the energy of his home crowd at the Dutch Grand Prix, snatched pole position from Lewis Hamilton by a narrow margin of less than a tenth of a second. Notably, this was achieved without the assistance of DRS on the main straight, while his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez was eliminated in Q1.
Monaco Grand Prix 2023
Verstappen delivered a stunning end to his qualifying lap in Monaco, gaining over two tenths on Fernando Alonso in the final sector to deny the Aston Martin driver pole position on the challenging street circuit.
Japanese Grand Prix 2023
In the previous year at Suzuka, Verstappen dominated qualifying, outpacing the competition by more than half a second in Q3. Horner lauded it as a `mind-blowing performance` as Verstappen navigated the high-speed circuit with an exceptional lap.
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix 2024
At Imola in 2024, Norris appeared poised to break Verstappen`s pole streak after the initial Q3 runs. However, Verstappen managed to pull everything together, even benefiting from a slipstream from Nico Hulkenberg, to secure his eighth consecutive pole position.
Japanese Grand Prix 2025
Could Verstappen`s most recent pole be his best? Despite expectations that McLaren or George Russell might take pole, Verstappen emerged from nowhere to claim the top spot, reaffirming his status as a leading driver.
Marcus Prine