Suzuka, Japan, 6 April 2024 (dpa/MIA) - World champion Max Verstappen claimed pole position for the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix on Saturday in his bid to return to winning ways from a recent rare hiccup.

Red Bull's Verstappen clocked 1 minute 28.197 seconds to claim his third straight pole on the 5,807-kilometres Suzuka International Racing Course, maintain his 100% season record in qualifying and take a 36th career pole.

Team-mate Sergio Perez put up a big fight and trailed by only .066 of a second. McLaren's Lando Norris was third, .292 back.

The outcome was good news for Red Red Bull, who, after one-two finishes led by Verstappen in the opening two season races, had a weekend to forget a fortnight ago in Australia when Verstappen had to retire early with a brakes issue and Perez had to settle for fifth.

"It was quite close at the end," Verstappen said. "Overall, this track is very sensitive with the tyres. The tarmac is really aggressive and when you want to go to the limit it doesn't always work out.

"Nevertheless, most importantly it's to be on pole. Overall a very good day and a good starting position for tomorrow, and tomorrow is what counts.

"It's great as a team to be P1 and P2. Hopefully we can keep that going for tomorrow."

Perez was a little disappointed to have narrowly missed pole but said that "we are in a good position for tomorrow.

"Our long-run pace wasn't that strong this morning but we worked quite a bit and so hopefully tomorrow we will be able to be strong," he said.

Verstappen, who also topped final practice earlier Saturday, leads the championship four points ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, with Perez another point back.

Things were difficult for Ferrari who had made the most of Red Bull's problems to claim a one-two from Carlos Sainz and Leclerc in Australia.

Sainz was fourth on Saturday and Leclerc only managed eighth, behind Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso, McLaren's Oscar Piastri and former world champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes.

Sainz named Suzuka a track "where the Ferrari is not the fastest car" but hopes for improvement on Sunday.

"In the race it would be nice to have a fight for the podium between Lando, me, Fernando, Merc behind. It should be an interesting battle for the podium, I think the Red Bulls are unfortunately in a different league around here," Sainz said.

The home fans meanwhile delighted in countryman Yuki Tsunoda making Q3 and placing 10th on the grid for Visa-RB, behind George Russell in the second Marcedes.

Photo: Formula 1