Max Verstappen will face his second match ball to achieve his second F1 world title this Sunday in Japan (7.00, Spanish time) starting from pole position. The Dutch driver gave a deterrent blow to his rivals to start preparing for his coronation party at Suzuka. If the rain does not alter it. He will have Charles Leclerc at his side at the start and behind him Carlos Sainz, third, and Checo Pérez, fourth. Fernando Alonso will start seventh.
After failing in Singapore in his first attempt last week, to become two-time champion this Sunday, the second youngest in history at 25 years and 8 days, Verstappen should win and achieve the best lap of the race (26 points) to avoid depend on the results of the direct rivals, Leclerc and Pérez. If he didn't get the best lap of the race, the Monegasque couldn't get past third place.
The combinations to be champion smile at the Dutchman, in a total of 12 variables. Max could be crowned without winning, without getting on the podium, or even being sixth. (See final table)
In the qualifying session at Suzuka, an iconic World Cup circuit that was returning after two years of absence due to the pandemic, Verstappen started out as the fastest in Q1, ahead of Sainz and Leclerc, one tenth behind; a preview of the battle for pole that would follow. Alonso was fourth (0.3 behind the Dutchman) and Checo Pérez, fifth.
Q2 was hectic with Pérez rising to first place, with Alonso behind, 4 tenths behind the Mexican, and Verstappen third without forcing. The Ferrari kept the cards for the final Q3.
In the last moto, Verstappen's superiority was made manifest with a volley on the first attempt. The Ferraris opened the series in command, with Leclerc first and Sainz at 145 thousandths, but the Dutchman arrived and put his Red Bull at the head of the table, lowering the Monegasque's time by 253 thousandths. Spectacular. Alonso was 5th, the first of the rest, one second behind Max.
In the second attempt of Q3, Verstappen did not even have to finish the lap to certify that he was the first thanks to his great lap. Leclerc was 10 thousandths without improving, Sainz neither, 57 thousandths from the Dutchman's best time, and Max made a mistake and was 28 thousandths away from improving his time. But his fifth pole was no longer in danger. Alonso lost fifth place, surpassed by his teammate Ocon and by Hamilton.
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
3. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
4. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
5. Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
6. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
7. Fernando Alonso (Alpine)
8. George Russell (Mercedes)
9. Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin)
10. Lando Norris (McLaren)
11. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren)
12. Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo)
13. Yuki Tsunoda (Alpha Tauri)
14. Guanyu Zhou (Alfa Romeo)
15. Mick Schumacher (Haas)
16. Alex Albon (Williams)
17. Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri)
18. Magnussen (Haas)
19. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
20. Nicolas Latifi (Williams)
The Suzuka race will start at 7:00 a.m. Spanish time, broadcast on Dazn TV and with live narration on the La Vanguardia website.
