Max Verstappen Japanese Grand Prix

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has taken pole position for Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka ahead of his closest challenger, Charles Leclerc. Photo: Twitter @RedBullRacing

Japanese Grand Prix: FINAL grid positions after all driver penalties

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has taken pole position for Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka ahead of his closest challenger, Charles Leclerc.

Max Verstappen Japanese Grand Prix

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has taken pole position for Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka ahead of his closest challenger, Charles Leclerc. Photo: Twitter @RedBullRacing

Runaway championship leader Max Verstappen has taken pole position for Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix as he attempts to clinch his second straight world title this weekend in Suzuka.

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

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Verstappen can clinch the title on Sunday if he wins the race with the fastest lap, no matter what his rivals do.

The Dutchman will also retain his crown if he wins and Leclerc is third or lower.

Showers are forecast for Sunday.

The race is due to start at 07:00 (SA time).

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Grid for the Japanese Grand Prix, the 18th round of the 22-race Formula One world championship, after qualifying on Saturday:

Front row

Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull)

Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari)

2nd row

Carlos Sainz (ESP/Ferrari)

Sergio Perez (MEX/Red Bull)

3rd row

Esteban Ocon (FRA/Alpine)

Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes)

4th row

Fernando Alonso (ESP/Alpine)

George Russell (GBR/Mercedes)

5th row

Sebastian Vettel (GER/Aston Martin)

Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren)

6th row

Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/McLaren)

Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Alfa Romeo)

7th row

Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/AlphaTauri)

Zhou Guanyu (CHN/Alfa Romeo)

8th row

Mick Schumacher (GER/Haas)

Alexander Albon (THA/Williams)

9th row

Pierre Gasly (FRA/AlphaTauri)

Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas)

10th row

Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin)

Nicholas Latifi (CAN/Williams)