In a final flying lap, Max Verstappen produced one of the best single-lap performance of his storied career as he secured pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix and set a new track record in the process.

Max Verstappen described his pole position at the Japanese Grand Prix as "very unexpected" after he defied the odds to beat the two McLaren drivers to the fastest time in qualifying.

Grass fires continued to wreak havoc at the Japanese Grand Prix on Saturday as practice and qualifying sessions were halted three times when three separate blazes broke out.