It was another strong performance for Red Bull Racing in qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix, with the team's drivers securing P1 and P2 ahead of tomorrow's race.
Reigning World Champion Max Verstappen claimed his third consecutive pole position at the Suzuka International Racing Course, having also claimed the top spot in 2022 and 2023, while teammate Sergio Pérez claimed second place just behind him.
Verstappen set a lap time of 1:28.197, eclipsing his pole-claiming lap time from his record-break 2023 season by 0.68 seconds. Pérez, meanwhile, came agonisingly close to claiming his first pole of the season, finishing just 0.066 seconds behind the Dutchman.
The one-two qualifying sees Red Bull tie a record previously set by Mercedes-AMG for the most number of front-row lockouts at the Suzuka Circuit, with four.
After Verstappen was forced to retire from the race in Australia, and Pérez finished P5 after his car suffered damage to its floor, the two Red Bull drivers will be determined to have a positive race in Japan, with Verstappen's lead in the Drivers' Championship just four points ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who qualified P8 today.
Speaking to Sky Sports after qualifying, Verstappen commented: "It was quite close at the end. I think overall this track is very sensitive with the tyres, with the tarmac being really aggressive, and when you want to go to the limit it doesn't always work out."
"Nevertheless, the most important is to be on pole. Of course, you want every lap to be perfect, but around a track like this it's not always the case."
He concluded: "Overall, a very good day. Good starting position for tomorrow and, of course, tomorrow is what counts."
Pérez also spoke after qualifying, saying: "It was close today, really close with Max, it felt like a good lap. It was quite tricky out there actually, especially with closing out the laps."
"It was easy to lose a couple of tenths in that last section into the chicane, so we hooked it in altogether but unfortunately it just was not enough."
He added: "I think we've been really close all weekend, all the way through qualifying as well, and when you're in that little margins, anything can make a difference."
"I didn't have a great exit, opening up the lap. That could've been the difference."
He concluded: "I think we're in a good position for tomorrow. Our long-run pace hasn't been that strong this morning but we'll work quite a bit so hopefully tomorrow we'll be able to be strong."
