The provisional starting grid for the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix has been confirmed, setting the stage for an exciting battle at the Suzuka Circuit.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen secured pole position with a lightning-fast lap time of 1:28.197 and will start Sunday’s race from the front row. The reigning world champion is unquestionably the favorite to win another race in Suzuka given his mastery of the track’s demanding straights and turns.
Red Bull locked out the front row, with teammate Sergio Perez right behind the Dutchman in second place. McLaren’s Lando Norris will start from third, while Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz will start from fourth on the grid.
Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso showed off his skills by placing fifth in qualifying while Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc took seventh and eighth place, respectively. RB’s Yuki Tsunoda and Mercedes’ George Russell round out the top ten further down the line.
F1 2024 Japanese Grand Prix starting grid
| Pos | Driver | Nat. | Team |
| 1 | Max Verstappen | NED | Oracle Red Bull Racing |
| 2 | Sergio Perez | MEX | Oracle Red Bull Racing |
| 3 | Lando Norris | GBR | McLaren F1 Team |
| 4 | Carlos Sainz | ESP | Scuderia Ferrari |
| 5 | Fernando Alonso | ESP | Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team |
| 6 | Oscar Piastri | AUS | McLaren F1 Team |
| 7 | Lewis Hamilton | GBR | Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team |
| 8 | Charles Leclerc | MON | Scuderia Ferrari |
| 9 | George Russell | GBR | Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team |
| 10 | Yuki Tsunoda | JPN | Visa Cash App RB F1 Team |
| 11 | Daniel Ricciardo | AUS | Visa Cash App RB F1 Team |
| 12 | Nico Hulkenberg | GER | MoneyGram Haas F1 Team |
| 13 | Valtteri Bottas | FIN | Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber |
| 14 | Alex Albon | THA | Williams Racing |
| 15 | Esteban Ocon | FRA | BWT Alpine F1 Team |
| 16 | Lance Stroll | CAN | Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team |
| 17 | Pierre Gasly | FRA | BWT Alpine F1 Team |
| 18 | Kevin Magnussen | DEN | MoneyGram Haas F1 Team |
| 19 | Logan Sargeant | USA | Williams Racing |
| 20 | Zhou Guanyu | CHN | Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber |
