Provisional Starting Grid GP Japan | Verstappen on pole, one grid penalty awarded

Max Verstappen pipped McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to pole for the Japanese Grand Prix. This is how the starting grid looks in Japan so far.

Carlos Sainz received a three-place penalty. After the Spaniard put his car in P12 during qualifying, he will start from P15 on Sunday at Suzuka.

Sainz received a grid penalty for this reason

Sainz had a moment with Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton in the first corner of the circuit during qualifying, which according to the stewards, amounted to impeding byt the former Ferrari driver on the seven-time world champion, incurring a three-place grip drop for the Grand Prix, as is the case with these offences.

At 07:00 UK time, on Sunday morning, the red lights will go out and the drivers will start the Japanese Grand Prix. While the four-time world champion will start from pole, the McLaren duo will be hot on his heels to try and wrestle the lead from him.

The race and all the developments around it can be followed via GPblog.

Provisional starting grid for GP Japan with Verstappen on pole position

Provisional starting grid for GP Japan with Verstappen on pole position