Japanese Grand Prix 2025 F1 starting grid

Red Bull Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen will start the 2025 edition of the Japanese Grand Prix from pole position.

An almighty final Q3 lap from Verstappen allowed him to overhaul the two seemingly-dominant McLarens, giving him his first grand prix pole since June '24 and the new Suzuka F1 record pole laptime to boot.

Team-mate Yuki Tsunoda showed early promise but ended up 15th for his Red Bull debut - he at least gains one place from Carlos Sainz's grid penalty.

Provisional Japanese GP starting grid

1 Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2 Lando Norris (McLaren)
3 Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
4 Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
5 George Russell (Mercedes)
6 Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
7 Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
8 Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
9 Alex Albon (Williams)
10 Ollie Bearman (Haas)
11 Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
12 Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
13 Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
14 Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)
15 Carlos Sainz (Williams)*
16 Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber)
17 Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)
18 Esteban Ocon (Haas)
19 Jack Doohan (Alpine)
20 Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

*three place grid penalty for impeding