Harry Benjamin
BBC F1 Commentator

If Verstappen gets a clean getaway then he will be off and away and Perez will be keen to cement in second. Perez will have the better line he could sling a nose down the inside but Perez wants to keep onto that Red Bull seat so I don't think he will put too much of a fuss.

If Norris can get a blinding start, get in front of Perez then I think Norris will try and keep Verstappen in his sites early doors.

Alpine's Esteban Ocon will start in P15, he told Sky Sports: "We will see how it goes obviously today is much warmer than yesterday, so we need to see on strategy what that's going to give and pray for something to happen in the race and we will keep being there if the opportunity comes for us to stop them."

Has there ever been an F1 driver who said they didn't like the challenge of completing the technical twists of the Suzuka circuit?

On returning to the track in 2022 after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Charles Leclerc said the first sector is "really, really special".

"And it has something that you never find anywhere else," the Ferrari driver added.

Image source, BBC Sport

The lap record in Japan is held by five-time winner Lewis Hamilton with a 1:30.983 set in 2019.

Max Verstappen, polesitter for the third Japanese Grand Prix in a row, has been victorious here at the past two races.

Fans have arrived at Suzuka with their creative F1 hats!

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

McLarens Lando Norris, who starts in P3 for today's grand prix, told Sky Sports: "I'm excited, planned for another start like last year, I think it would be lovely if I could get that little buffer off Perez. If I can get one of them that would be a nice position to be in but difficult, their pace is very strong and there are a lot of quick cars behind so it's about getting in a good position and getting in front of someone as quick as possible."

Ian Fergusson
BBC weather forecaster

Air temperature 22.2C and the track 40C under sunny skies. Wind from S/SSE (giving a touch of tailwind component through turns 2 up to 7), with gusts to 15mph in the past hour. Dry, with no risk of rain. Enjoy the race!

Image source, Formula 1

Australian Grand Prix winner Carlos Sainz will join Lando Norris on the second row, while Fernando Alonso in the upgraded Aston Martin starts fifth alongside the other McLaren of Oscar Piastri.

Charles Leclerc, meanwhile, was left scratching his head as to what happened to his qualifying fight, telling his Ferrari pit wall "that's the best I can do. Honestly, I don't get it" at the end of Q3.

The Monegasque driver starts in eighth place next to his soon-to-be team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who put his Mercedes P7.

Contrasting fortunes over at Aston Martin, too, after Lance Stroll was a surprise knockout in Q1 and will line up in P16, while Fernando Alonso in right in the fight in fifth place.

Hello again, folks. Hope we're all feeling refreshed thanks to the slightly kinder call time today.

The new springtime - and today very warm and sunny - Japanese Grand Prix is almost here and Red Bull have secured the front row in qualifying for the first time this season.

When it comes to the race result, however, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez are aiming to deliver the constructors' champions their third one-two of the 2024 campaign.

Lights out at Suzuka are at 06:00 BST.

Live commentary with Harry Benjamin, Jennie Gow, British racing driver Alice Powell and BBC F1 correspondent Andrew Benson is available on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds and at the top of this page using the audio icon.

Will the loyal Red Bull fans be celebrating by the time chequered flag falls at the Japanese Grand Prix?

Image source, Getty Images

Or will it be Lando Norris' diehard supporters who can raise a glass to the McLaren driver at the end of the 53-lap Suzuka test?

Image source, Getty Images