Max Verstappen produced a stunning lap to leave McLaren pair Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri behind to take a surprise pole position at the Japanese Grand Prix.
McLaren have won both races this season (one each for Norris and Piastri) and set the tone by winning all three practice sessions this weekend.
Verstappen's Red Bull car had not shown the required pace throughout practice and the four-time world champion admitted he lacked confidence in his car ahead of qualifying.
However, the Dutchman showed his skill at the right moment, beating Norris by just 0.012 seconds.
Verstappen's race engineer told him over the radio that his lap had been “insane”.
“Every session we just kept making little improvements and I think that made a difference and on the last lap we were on the limit,” Verstappen said.
“We will prepare for tomorrow and do our best.”
Norris added: “I'm pleased, congratulations to Max, he did a good job. You have to give credit when you have a lap as impressive as the one he must have done.”
“It's going to be an exciting race.”
On his birthday on Sunday, Piastri will start from third place, ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.
George Russell, third in the first two races of the season, looked McLaren's closest rival at Suzuka but could only manage fifth in his Mercedes.
Lewis Hamilton has struggled to find the pace for Ferrari and will start Sunday's race from eighth place.
British driver Oliver Biermann had a strong session, taking his Haas into Q3 for the first time this season and finishing 10th.
Home favourite Yuki Tsunoda suffered a setback in Q2 on his Red Bull debut, replacing Liam Lawson, who retired after just two runs and returned to the Racing Bulls.
Tsunoda qualified in 15th place, one place behind Lawson, the New Zealander who qualified from Q1 for the first time this campaign.
Qualifying was interrupted by a grass fire on the side of the track, which disrupted racing throughout the weekend.
Friday's second practice session and Saturday morning's session were red flagged twice due to dry grass fires.
The FIA took preventative measures ahead of Saturday's races and watered the grass again ahead of qualifying, fearing it could affect the first official races of the weekend.
Another fire, caused mainly by sparks from trays under cars, occurred eight minutes before the end of Q2 when the session was stopped to water the damaged area.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
