Japanese Grand Prix – Race LIVE: Max Verstappen looks to continue dominant F1 season after taking pole position, while Lewis Hamilton starts in seventh

Max Verstappen sent the clearest message yet that there will be very little chance of a repeat of last week’s upset in Singapore as the reigning champion swept aside his rivals to take pole position in Japan.

Verstappen, on a revenge mission after his shock fifth-place finish in Marina Bay, rung the neck of his RB19 around Suzuka’s figure-eight track, where the boldest driver accumulates the biggest reward.

And so it was for the Dutchman who was six-tenths clear of Oscar Piastri at the front row of the grid, in another big step towards world title No 3, should all go to plan here on Sunday.

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Hello and welcome to Mail Sport’s coverage of today’s Japanese Grand Prix.

We’ve got just under 40 minutes until the action gets underway on Sunday morning, and we’ll be bringing you all the latest developments throughout the race.

Stay tuned!