Max Verstappen described his pole position lap for the Japanese Grand Prix as `very special` after outperforming McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
This marks Verstappen`s 41st pole position in Formula 1, with Red Bull team boss Christian Horner calling it `one of his best ever`.
Verstappen aims to convert this pole into his first victory of 2025 at Suzuka.
`I`ve had some other great laps,` the current world champion mentioned.
`However, considering our season start and this weekend, this pole is quite unexpected. That’s what makes it particularly special.`
So, where does Verstappen`s latest pole rank among his 41 career poles? We review some of his other exceptional qualifying laps before you cast your vote.
Dutch Grand Prix 2021
In the intense 2021 championship battle, Verstappen secured pole position at the Dutch Grand Prix, ahead of Lewis Hamilton by a narrow margin, under immense pressure from his home crowd. Notably, this was achieved without DRS on the main straight, while his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez was eliminated in Q1.
Monaco Grand Prix 2023
Verstappen delivered a phenomenal final sector in Monaco, surpassing Fernando Alonso to claim pole position on the challenging street circuit.
Japanese Grand Prix 2023
In the previous year at Suzuka, Verstappen dominated qualifying, outpacing the competition by over half a second. Horner hailed it as a `mind-blowing performance` as Verstappen mastered the high-speed track with an incredible lap.
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix 2024
At Imola in 2024, Norris seemed poised to break Verstappen`s pole streak after the initial Q3 runs. However, Verstappen managed to piece together a perfect lap, aided by a slipstream from Nico Hulkenberg, securing his eighth consecutive pole position.
Japanese Grand Prix 2025
Or could Verstappen`s most recent pole be his finest? Despite expectations for McLaren or George Russell to take pole, Verstappen emerged from nowhere to seize the top spot, reinforcing his status as a top-tier driver.
Gilbert Pendleton