With Max Verstappen on the cusp of the 2022 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship, the Red Bull driver put his car on pole position for the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix, starting just ahead of rival Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari.
Verstappen was involved in a qualifying incident with Lando Norris, but escaped any grid penalties and was handed a reprimand by the stewards.
The sister Ferrari of Carlos Sainz is third on the Japanese GP starting grid, just in from of Sergio Perez in the other Red Bull.
Estben Ocon, who will join forces at Alpine in 2023 with Pierre Gasly, was the best of the rest and will start in fifth place at Suzuka. Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes is sandwiched between the Alpine cars.
Rain is forecast for the race itself, and Verstappen needs victory plus fastest lap to secure the 2022 title in Japan.
Japanese GP 2022 – Full Starting Grid
| Pos | Driver | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | AlphaTauri |
| 14 | Zhou Guanyu | Alfa Romeo |
| 15 | Mick Schumacher | Haas |
| 16 | Alex Albon | Williams |
| 17 | Pierre Gasly | AlphaTauri |
| 18 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas |
| 19 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin |
| 20 | Nicholas Latifi* | Williams |
- Latifi – 5 place grid penalty – Causing a collision (2022 Singapore Grand Prix)
