Verstappen receives compliment from Hill after great pole in Japan

18:30, 05 Apr 2025

byNorberto Mujica

Damon Hill has been regularly critical of Max Verstappen, but now gives his fellow world champion in Formula 1 all the credits after a fabulous lap in Suzuka. With that, the Red Bull Racing driver secured pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix.

Verstappen surprised friend and foe with the fastest time in qualifying at the Suzuka circuit, where he's emerged victorious in the previous three editions, with a fourth consecutive win at the Japanese Grand Prix not being taken into account until Saturday due to the dominance of the McLaren cars. But thanks to the amazing lap in Q3 which fot him pole position for the race, Verstappen does have a rekindled chance at victory.

After qualifying, there was a lot of praise for Verstappen. "Only he can do it. There is no other driver at the moment that can drive a car and put it so high, higher than the car deserves. It was a magical moment," said the Aston Martin driver, Fernando Alonso, at the paddock in Suzuka.

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Damon Hill apparently fully agreed with that conclusion. On Instagram, the Brit wrote: 'True that.' In an earlier post the Briton also stated Verstappen was 'Not to be denied' pole for the Japanese Grand Prix.