Lando Norris Credits Max Verstappen For Claiming Japanese Grand Prix Pole

 

Max Verstappen racing past the finish line at the Japanese Grand Prix for his first pole position of the season 

Max Verstappen maintained pole dominance at Suzuka for the fourth consecutive season, a position that McLaren had dominated with Oscar Piastri making his first pole appearance in Shanghai, China. The qualifying session nearly went Piastri's way, but Verstappen outpaced his initial time set in the first sector of Q3 to claim the pole. 

Piastri missed out by 0.044s, even dropping behind Lando Norris, who followed in second position. Norris was leading the time set in the final sector before Verstappen roared his car down the track and pipped him to the pole in 0.012s. 

Verstappen maximized his time getting around the curbs ahead, which Norris admitted the Red Bull driver "did an amazing lap" and deserved to be credited by him. However, he was surprised to have lost as he pushed the car to its limit to claim provisional pole. 

"Congrats to Max," said Norris. "You've got to credit something when it's a lap that good that he must have done. I'm happy because I feel like I got everything out of the car today."

Norris poled at the Australian Grand Prix for his 10th career pole position. He won in the final while  Verstappen finished in second. His team-mate, Piastri, stunned him by claiming the pole in China. They won the final for a McLaren one-two podium position.