Verstappen gets Japan GP pole in bid to return to the top
World champion Max Verstappen claimed pole position for the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix in his bid to return to winning ways from a recent rare hiccup.
Red Bull's Verstappen clocked 1 minute 28.197 seconds to claim his third straight pole on the 5,807-kilometres Suzuka International Racing Course, maintain his 100% season record in qualifying and take a 36th career pole.
Team-mate Sergio Perez put up a fight and trailed by only .066 of a second. McLaren's Lando Norris was third, .292 back.
Red Bull aim to return to the podium after Verstappen led one-two finishes from Perez at the first two races before he had to retire with a brakes issue two weeks ago in Australia and Perez had to settle for fifth.
Triple champion Verstappen tops the standings four points ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, with Perez another point back. Leclerc came eighth in qualifying.
