There wasn't much doubt that Max Verstappen would extend his supremacy in free practice at Suzuka into qualifying. But a lead of over half a second over McLaren's Oscar Piastri was a crushing edge for the Red Bull charger.
Check out our recap in pictures of Saturday's action at the Japanese GP, round 16 of the 2023 F1 World Championship.
Stefano Domenicali (ITA) Formula One President and CEO.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Alfa Romeo Racing
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Circuit atmosphere - fans.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Circuit atmosphere - Jos Verstappen fan.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Circuit atmosphere - Nigel Mansell fan.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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(L to R): Jack Doohan (AUS) Alpine F1 Team Reserve Driver with Esteban Ocon (FRA) Alpine F1 Team.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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The helmet of Fernando Alonso (ESP) Aston Martin F1 Team.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Lewis Hamilton (GBR), Mercedes AMG F1 Bell helmet special edition
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Williams Racing FW45 nosecone.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) AlphaTauri.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) Ferrari.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing (Centre) with Christian Horner (GBR) Red Bull Racing Team Principal (Left).
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Haas VF-23.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) Ferrari.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Kevin Magnussen (DEN) Haas VF-23.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) Ferrari SF-23.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Pierre Gasly (FRA) Alpine F1 Team A523.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) AlphaTauri AT04 locks up under braking.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Logan Sargeant (USA) Williams Racing FW45.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W14.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Oscar Piastri (AUS) McLaren MCL60.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Kevin Magnussen (DEN) Haas VF-23.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Sergio Perez (MEX) Red Bull Racing RB19.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari SF-23.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Zhou Guanyu (CHN) Alfa Romeo F1 Team C43.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Charles Leclerc (FRA), Scuderia Ferrari
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren MCL60.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Fernando Alonso (ESP) Aston Martin F1 Team AMR23.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Alfa Romeo F1 Team C43.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Oscar Piastri (AUS) McLaren MCL60.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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(L to R): Mick Schumacher (GER) Mercedes AMG F1 Reserve Driver with Sebastian Vettel (GER).
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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(L to R): Ryo Hirakawa (JPN) McLaren Reserve Driver with Zak Brown (USA) McLaren Executive Director and Akio Toyoda (JPN) President Toyota Motor Corporation.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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(L to R): Sebastian Vettel (GER) with Christian Horner (GBR) Red Bull Racing Team Principal.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Pierre Gasly (FRA) Alpine F1 Team A523.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Esteban Ocon (FRA) Alpine F1 Team A523.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB19.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren MCL60.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari SF-23.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari SF-23.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Alexander Albon (THA) Williams Racing FW45.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Pierre Gasly (FRA) Alpine F1 Team A523.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W14.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Pierre Gasly (FRA) Alpine F1 Team A523.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Alexander Albon (THA) Williams Racing FW45.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Liam Lawson (NZL) AlphaTauri AT04.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari SF-23.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Alexander Albon (THA) Williams Racing FW45.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB19.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Logan Sargeant (USA) Williams Racing FW45.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W14.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Oscar Piastri (AUS) McLaren MCL60.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari SF-23.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Rebecca Lee (GBR) FIA Offical Race Starter in qualifying parc ferme.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren in qualifying parc ferme with team mate Oscar Piastri (AUS) McLaren.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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(L to R): Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing celebrates his pole position in qualifying parc ferme with second placed Oscar Piastri (AUS) McLaren.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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(L to R): Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing celebrates his pole position in qualifying parc ferme with Mohammed Bin Sulayem (UAE) FIA President.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing receives the Pirelli Pole Position Award from Mario Isola (ITA) Pirelli Racing Manager.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren (Right) celebrates his third position in qualifying parc ferme with second placed team mate Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren.
23.09.2023. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 17, Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka, Japan, Qualifying Day.
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