Verstappen enjoys ‘incredible’ run to pole at Suzuka as he explains near-miss with Norris

Max Verstappen expressed satisfaction at converting his strong practice pace into pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix, while also offering an explanation over a near-miss with Lando Norris in Q3.

Having set the pace in FP3 earlier on Saturday, Verstappen sealed top spot in a dry qualifying session as he edged out Ferrari pair Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz with a benchmark time of 1m 29.304s.

It came on F1’s return to Suzuka after a three-year absence from the calendar and also moves Verstappen closer to securing a second world title, with victory and the fastest lap bonus point enough to finish the job on Sunday.

READ MORE: Verstappen beats Leclerc and Sainz to pole position in ultra-close Japanese GP qualifying

Reflecting on Suzuka’s comeback and his run to pole, Verstappen said: “It was pretty incredible to drive here again, especially in qualifying when you are on low fuel – these cars really come alive through the first sector. Of course, [I’m] very happy to be on pole, but also in general just super-happy to be back here.

“It will be interesting to see [what happens with] the weather [on race day]. Some say it will be dry, some say it will be raining at some point during the race. I’m quite confident we have a good car, so [I’m] excited for tomorrow.”

Before claiming pole position, Verstappen had a near-miss with Norris as both drivers conducted out-laps – the McLaren driver forced to take avoiding action when the Red Bull darted left under acceleration at the exit of 130R.

Ahead of a visit to the stewards, Verstappen explained: “We were all on our out-lap – all lining up to try and create a gap to everyone – and somehow he still wanted to get me into the chicane. I was at the point of accelerating, but I was on very cold tyres, so I had a little moment and that’s why he had to drive around me.

“If you are just a bit more respectful, then everyone is anyway already lining up. I don’t think anyone is trying to pass into that last chicane, so basically, by trying to pass me, you create that kind of problem.”

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As for his chances of wrapping up the title in Japan, Verstappen insisted that he is simply focused on executing a “perfect” race and not worrying about putting Leclerc and Red Bull team mate Sergio Perez mathematically out of contention.

“I’m not thinking about it too much – just taking it day by day. I think what was most important is that we have a competitive car; clearly, we had that today in qualifying. I hope of course it’s going to be the same tomorrow in the race, because we do need a perfect race to win. At least it’s a good start,” he commented.