Lando Norris praises Max Verstappen's ‘amazing' pole lap as Japanese GP qualifying ends

Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool

In an electrifying qualifying session for the Japanese Grand Prix, McLaren's Lando Norris could only salute Max Verstappen’s sensational lap that secured the Dutchman the pole position. Despite the setback, Norris is looking forward to a fierce battle for the win on Sunday against the reigning world champion.

Norris, currently leading the championship, and his teammate Oscar Piastri were on track to secure the front row for the second time in three races this year. However, Verstappen's masterful final lap in his Red Bull dashed those hopes.

"I've been feeling good, the car's been feeling good from the off as well," Norris commented. "We've been chipping away. I think between the both of us we've been quickest in every session bar this one, so it's the little frustrating one. I feel I got everything out of the car. Just a tiny [margin] but Max did an amazing lap," he added.

McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella acknowledged the brilliance of Verstappen's lap but remained positive about Norris and Piastri's performances. With Norris starting second and Piastri in third, McLaren is in a strong position for the race.

"We were definitely in contention for pole position, three cars in 40 milliseconds, which shows we are very competitive," Stella noted. "A good position to start the race tomorrow."

The anticipation for Sunday’s race is heightened by the forecast of rain, which could alleviate the problem of trackside grass fires that have caused five red flags over the first two days at Suzuka.

Norris, who outpaced Verstappen under wet conditions in Melbourne’s season-opening race, is eager for another gripping contest. "It's probably going to be a bit of a race like Melbourne, and that was an exciting race for everyone," he stated. "Now I've got to try and do some overtakes, you know? So we'll see. It's exciting. I think the unknown of the weather is going to make it exciting and nerve-wracking for everyone."

Meanwhile, Piastri, coming off a win in Shanghai, expressed his disappointment with his final qualifying lap but remains optimistic about the race. "I think it is still all to play for in the race," he said. "Just see what the weather does. Obviously, the game plan is to try and finish two spots ahead of where I'm starting. But apart from that, we'll see what we get."

With Norris and Piastri starting from strong positions and unpredictable weather conditions looming, the Japanese Grand Prix promises to be a thrilling showdown.

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