Summary

  • Max Verstappen takes Japanese GP pole

  • McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri second and third

  • Ferraris of Leclerc and Hamilton fourth and eighth

  • Lawson and Tsunoda qualify 14th and 15th respectively

  • Another grass fire brings out red flag in Q2 after two in final practice

  • Listen to 5 Sports Extra commentary by selecting audio tab (UK only)

  • Get involved: #bbcf1

Live Reporting

Gary Rose

  1. Oscar Piastri is out there and he returns to the top of the order with a time of 1:27.687.

    A strong final sector sees Lewis Hamilton up to fourth quickest.

  2. Into the final couple of minutes and Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc - first and second respectively - are staying in the pits.

    Isack Hadjar is back out but reports he still has the same issue. Whatever the problem is he sounds gutted.

  3. Team radio - Hadjar

    "If this is what ruins our qualifying, just so you know I'm very sorry."

  4. Lewis Hamilton has decided to play it safe and he's out on softs, clocking the seventh fastest time.

    The drivers in trouble at the moment are Liam Lawson, Fernando Alonso, Kimi Antonelli, Isack Hadjar and Lance Stroll.

  5. Isack Hadjar looks in real discomfort as a mechanic fiddles with something in the cockpit in an effort to resolve the issues he has been having.

  6. Team radio - Hadjar

    "I don't know what's wrong with me. I mean, I just can't focus. I have so much lap time to find, but it's just not driveable."

  7. No grass fires so far so it would appear that, so far, the heavy watering of the grass has done the job.

  8. Harry Benjamin
    BBC F1 Commentator

    Isack Hadjar is really struggling out there, he's fallen down to 17th and he's come back into the pits.

  9. Lando Norris is back on top with 1:27.845 while Charles Leclerc is up into second, 0.075s slower than the McLaren.

  10. There's issues for Isack Hadjar as he reports a problem in the cockpit.

    He's getting a bit stressed about it as he reports that he can't focus and the car is "not driveable".

    Isack HadjarGetty Images

  11. Team radio - Verstappen

    "I still have the same problem with...it's like the tyres are not gripping at the front."

  12. George Russell has had a good weekend so far and he pops up to split the McLarens with a time that's just 0.058s slower than the benchmark time.

  13. The McLarens are looking strong and close as Oscar Piastri goes fastest now with 1:28.143, 0.090s faster than Lando Norris.

    Very little between them.

  14. So far, so good for Yuki Tsunoda as he slots in fourth quickest.

    He's around three tenths down on Max Verstappen, who goes second fastest.

  15. Alice Powell
    British racing driver on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Red Bull want a driver to be there backing up Max Verstappen within touching distance, not lagging and not out in Q1 or Q2.

    That is what they will need for the Constructors' [championship], they will need two cars fighting up there and grabbing those points.

  16. Lewis Hamilton is currently fourth fastest with Lando Norris quickest at the moment with 1:28.233.

  17. Lewis Hamilton does a 1:29.1 on those mediums as he looks to try and get his banker on this compound and save a set of softs for later in qualifying.

  18. Alice Powell
    British racing driver on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Suzuka is a punishing track if you make one small mistake.

  19. Harry Benjamin
    BBC F1 Commentator

    George Russell has never qualified higher than eighth here in Suzuka so he will be looking for a good run. He's had a great start to this season with two podiums.

  20. Pretty much everyone has gone for softs but Lewis Hamilton is out there on mediums.