Race data explains exactly why McLaren made its dubious specific strategic decisions in the Japanese Grand Prix.

For the first time this Formula 1 season, a McLaren will not start on pole position for a Grand Prix. Max Verstappen surprised the grid, and himself, by snatching pole position ahead of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri for the Japanese Grand Prix.

McLaren remains the team to beat in Formula 1, but Max Verstappen’s victorious drive for Red Bull at the Japanese Grand Prix Sunday proves only excellence is good enough. 2nd and 3rd placed Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri still have the fastest all-round car for McLaren on the F1 grid.