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McLaren driver Oscar Piastri says he wasn’t stunned to see Max Verstappen qualify his Pink Bull on pole place for System 1’s Japanese Grand Prix.
McLaren went into Saturday’s qualifying at Suzuka because the outright favorite, having placed on a dominant efficiency within the opening two rounds of the season in Australia and China.
And though each Piastri and teammate Lando Norris appeared speedy in Q3, they finally needed to concede defeat to a fast-charging Verstappen, who snatched the highest spot by 0.012s.
A pole place for Pink Bull in Japan had appeared unlikely because the RB21 had been each off the tempo and tough to drive in 2025, with Verstappen himself complaining concerning the traits of the automotive on a number of events.
However for Piastri, who finally certified third, the Dutchman’s efficiency in qualifying wasn’t fully sudden.
“I believe the others haven’t been as far-off as individuals assume,” he stated. “You by no means fairly know with engine modes and stuff like that.
“This morning was fairly tight. It is not a large shock. I believe Max has clearly carried out an awesome job getting on pole.
“I believe we have nonetheless received an awesome automotive for tomorrow and [we are] nonetheless within the struggle for win.”
Norris additionally praised Verstappen for breaking the lap document on a newly-resurfaced Suzuka, however was happy to qualify on the entrance row.
“I’m blissful,” he stated. “Congrats to Max, he did a superb job, hats off. You bought to credit score one thing when it is a lap that’s that good that he will need to have carried out.
“I’m blissful as a result of I really feel I received every part out of the automotive at the moment. [The margin], simply it’s tiny. Was there most likely that a lot in it? Sure, however Max did a tremendous lap.
“We’re blissful for each of us to be up there and for us to be preventing for pole. It is good however not sufficient.”
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