Kimi Antonelli impressively claimed pole position for the Japanese GP in qualifying. The Mercedes driver beat teammate George Russell. Most notable, however, was the elimination of Max Verstappen in Q2: the Dutchman could get no further than 11th place in a struggling Red Bull car.

Relive the qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix here, from start to finish:

Q1: Leclerc surprises Antonelli and Russell

When the light turns green, the first part of qualifying has begun. Six cars will not survive the first cut; both Cadillacs and Aston Martins already seem to be four of them beforehand. Max Verstappen is also quickly out on track, but gets no further than eighth place in the first run, behind teammate Isack Hadjar. Meanwhile, Antonelli immediately sets the tone, followed by Charles Leclerc. Notably, George Russell’s pace is disappointing: fifth in run one.

In the final minutes, the main question is which drivers will drop out. And indeed: the aforementioned four are out, along with the normally fast Oliver Bearman (Haas), among others. Meanwhile, Verstappen passes Hadjar and Russell also improves. However, Leclerc stays ahead of him. Antonelli, Piastri, and Hamilton are also in the top five. Surprisingly strong: Audi duo Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto. They finish ahead of Verstappen (ninth).

Q2: Verstappen is out!

On to Q2, should Verstappen worry about qualifying for Q3? Yes, as it turns out. Antonelli is the first to set the tone, but Piastri then puts the McLaren on P1. Bortoleto is also strong, being faster than, for example, Verstappen with his first time. Hadjar is also faster than the Dutchman, as are Hülkenberg and Gasly. Work to do for Verstappen, who again – just like in free practice – complains about downshifting problems.

So it has to come from his last fast lap in Q2. He does improve, but at that moment he gets no further than ninth. First, it’s Hadjar who beats him, then it’s Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad of all people who takes P10 from Verstappen. The Dutchman finishes eleventh, and so it’s game over. The RB22 is not doing what he wants at all, he reports over the team radio. Eleventh time, no Q3.

Q3: Antonelli beats everyone

It is Antonelli who immediately shows that he is the main candidate for pole position in Q3. In the first run, he keeps teammate Russell a few tenths behind him, and both McLarens and Ferraris are nowhere near.

Who will keep him off pole? Not Russell, as it turns out. The Englishman is also slower than Antonelli in the second run. However, the Italian does not improve his own time either, which opens the door for the other top drivers. At McLaren, the hope for pole is short-lived; Piastri and Norris get no further than the third and fifth times. That is still faster than Hamilton. And what about Leclerc? No, he cannot give Ferrari pole either: fourth. And so it is Antonelli who will be on P1 on Sunday morning Dutch time (7.00 AM)!