McLaren has had a good few weeks on the track and during Saturday’s qualifying round at Suzuka, Verstappen qualified above the McLaren pair, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris who took second and third position ahead of tomorrow’s race.

This marks Piatsri's first ever front row start as well as the first time at the Suzuka circuit. 

Ferrari’s Leclerc finished in fourth followed by Red Bull’s Sergio Perez. Ferrari team mate, Carlos Sainz took sixth putting Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari in the first three rows for tomorrow’s start. 

Mercedes takes the fourth row with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell in seventh and eighth respectively. For Russell, a hard fight is in order to make a comeback following last week’s final lap disappointment.

Verstappen managed to clock a time of 1m 29.012s in Q3 and improved in his second run to a 1m 28.877s putting him over half a second ahead of Piastri and Norris. With Verstappen set to start at the top this week, Red Bull is set to retain their constructors’ title on Sunday. 

The two-time World Champion is well on his way to a third championship title and succeeding this weekend puts him one step closer. 

Williams’ rookie driver, Logan Sargeant unfortunately hit the barrier at turn 18, the final corner of Q1, bringing out the red flag and sending all the drivers back to the pit lane. He luckily walked away from the incident okay but it is still to be determined whether his car will be ready for Sunday.