F1, Japan GP: Max Verstappen mocks Charles Leclerc but goes under investigation
18th career pole, and fifth of the season, for Red Bull driver
Ferrari is there, but it once again has to give way to the champion’s paw. Max Verstappen in fact took pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix, preceding in the order of finish Charles Leclerc, mocked by 10 thousandths, and Carlos Sainz, only 57 thousandths away.
However, the Dutch driver is under investigation for an alleged disturbing maneuver against Lando Norris in Turn 15 during Q3: Race Direction has reserved the right to evaluate the ‘incriminating’ episode later.
Below are the positions and times from the official practice sessions of the Suzuka GP:
1 Max VERSTAPPEN Red Bull Racing1:29.304
2 Charles LECLERC Ferrari+0.010
3 Carlos SAINZ Ferrari+0.057
4 Sergio PEREZ Red Bull Racing+0.405
5 Esteban OCON Alpine+0.861
6 Lewis HAMILTON Mercedes+0.957
7 Fernando ALONSO Alpine+1.018
8 George RUSSELL Mercedes+1.085
9 Sebastian VETTEL Aston Martin+1.250
10 Lando NORRIS McLaren+1.699
11 Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) Q2
12 Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo Racing) Q2
13 Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri) Q2
14 Guanyu Zhou (Alfa Romeo Racing) Q2
15 Mick Schumacher (Haas) Q2
16 Alex Albon (Williams) Q1
17 Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) Q1
18 Kevin Magnussen (Haas) Q1
19 Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) Q1
20 Nicholas Latifi (Williams) Q1.
