Title-chasing Verstappen pips Leclerc to Japanese GP pole

SUZUKA, JAPAN: Max Verstappen gave himself a great chance to retain his Formula One world title at Sunday’s Japanese Grand prix after grabbing pole in Suzuka.

The Red Bull driver topped the timesheets in qualifying with a time of 1min 29.304, just 0.010 secs ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, his nearest championship rival. Carlos Sainz was third in the other Ferrari.