Max Verstappen secures fourth pole position in a row this season as Red Bull lock out the front row for the Japanese GP… but it’s a disappointing qualifying session for Lewis Hamilton and George Russell at Mercedes

After the disappointment of an early retirement in Australia last time, it’s fair to say Max Verstappen has the brakes on again.

The Red Bull driver again did his best at Suzuka, qualifying from pole for tomorrow’s Japanese Grand Prix, ahead of teammate Sergio Perez in second and Lando Norris in third.

Both Verstappen and Perez had complained about their cars during Saturday’s third practice, but were still able to produce times that left them well above the rest of the field when necessary.

Even after taking a fourth consecutive pole of the season, Verstappen was left disappointed by his own performance. ‘Not bad, not bad. We need a better lap, but it doesn’t matter,” said the Dutchman.

He may not have been at his best, but it still looks like it will take something extraordinary for someone other than a Red Bull driver to take victory tomorrow.

Verstappen, in particular, looks to be in a class of his own in the third and final sector of this demanding track.

Charles Leclerc, Verstappen’s closest title rival, was fighting with his own team over their strategy in third practice and was equally frustrated at the end of qualifying.

The Ferrari driver was only eighth fastest and his subsequent reaction suggested he had nothing more to give. ‘That’s the best I can do. Honestly, I don’t understand it,” said Leclerc, bewildered.

It was a happy return to Suzuka for McLaren’s Norris, who finished second at this historic track last season and will start on the second row as he seeks a first Grand Prix victory.

Fellow Britons Lewis Hamilton and George Russell fell behind, qualifying seventh and ninth respectively for Mercedes.