McLaren’s Lando Norris somehow managed to avoid a collision with Max Verstappen during the final part of qualifying at Suzuka

McLaren’s Lando Norris somehow managed to avoid a collision with Max Verstappen during the final part of qualifying at Suzuka Max Verstappen has a strong chance of sealing his second world championship at the Japanese GP after pipping Charles Leclerc for pole position – and retaining top spot after a post-qualifying survey. Verstappen was called by the marshals after an exhilaratingly close shot for accidentally crashing into Lando Norris in the opening laps of Q3 and almost causing a massive crash, but was only given a reprimand. That means he remains on pole, which he claimed just 0.010s ahead of Charles Leclerc, and can seal his second Suzuka crown by edging out his rival by eight points in Sunday’s race, live on Sky Sports F1 at 6 a.m. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Red Bull’s Max Verstappen took pole for the Japanese Grand Prix, but then faced an investigation into an incident with Lando Norris
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen took pole for the Japanese Grand Prix, but then faced an investigation into an incident with Lando Norris Leclerc finished agonizingly clear of Verstappen in qualifying, with team-mate Carlos Sainz also a tenth behind, and although Verstappen did not improve on his final lap, he remained on pole with a 1:29.304. Sergio Perez was fourth in the other Red Bull, while Esteban Ocon won both Mercedes. Lewis Hamilton was the top Silver Arrow in sixth, with George Russell just eighth as the team, at a lower speed, failed to replicate their pace from Friday in the wet weather, which could return for Sunday’s race. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Karun Chandhok was on SkyPad to break down whether Red Bull’s Max Verstappen held off McLaren’s Lando Norris in Japanese Grand Prix qualifying
Karun Chandhok was on SkyPad to break down whether Red Bull’s Max Verstappen held off McLaren’s Lando Norris in Japanese Grand Prix qualifying
Norris, distraught by Verstappen’s actions, was just 10th for McLaren, behind Sebastian Vettel in an emotional and impressive final performance at his favorite track. Japanese GP Qualifying Results1) Max Verstappen, Red Bull2) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari3) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari4) Sergio Perez, Red Bull5) Esteban Ocon, Alpine6) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes7) Fernando Alonso, Alpine8) George Russell, Mercedes Vetel Se9) Aston Martin10) Lando Norris, McLaren

Norris: Verstappen deserved the penalty | Max: He should be more “respectable”

Verstappen, in dominant form, appeared on course for pole throughout Saturday’s penalties – fastest in Q1 and at the start of Q2 – although there was a highly controversial moment at the start of Q3. Ahead of the lap that would eventually give him pole, the Dutchman drove slowly through the fastest part of the track, warming up his tyres. Norris, however, took a different off-lap strategy and moved past Verstappen on the straight, before the Red Bull swerved left as he tried to accelerate on his cold tyres. Norris had to make quick work avoiding grass action and then had a slow first lap Q3. Verstappen, meanwhile, posted the fastest lap of the day. He raised his hand to apologize to Norris inside, but the officials quickly declared that he was under investigation and at risk of a penalty. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player McLaren’s Lando Norris has blamed Red Bull driver Max Verstappen for almost causing him to crash during Q3 at Suzuka.
McLaren’s Lando Norris has blamed Red Bull driver Max Verstappen for almost causing him to crash during Q3 at Suzuka. F1 rules state that “at no time shall a car be driven unnecessarily slowly, erratically or in a manner which could be considered potentially dangerous to other drivers or any other person”. “I mean it was clear he tried [block me]Norris told Sky Sports F1. “There’s no rule of thumb for what you can do, but to do what he did is something you can’t do. “People always pass before the last turn, as long as everyone agrees on that [gentleman’s agreement]everyone does it all the time, so it’s okay, he probably would if he were in my situation, but I wouldn’t have turned on him if I was in his situation.” Verstappen, however, argued that Norris should have been more “respected”. “We were on our outside lap and we were all lining up to try to create a gap on everyone, and somehow he still wanted to put me in the chicane,” Verstappen said. “But I was at the point of acceleration, I was on very cold tires, so I had a bit of time and that’s why he had to drive around me. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Red Bull boss Christian Horner believes Lando Norris was wrong to try to overtake Max Verstappen on his outside lap, but did not think the Dutchman should be penalized for the incident after securing pole.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner believes Lando Norris was wrong to try to overtake Max Verstappen on his outside lap, but did not think the Dutchman should be penalized for the incident after securing pole. “But if you’re a little bit more respectful, then everyone’s already lined up anyway. I don’t think anyone’s trying to get through that last chicane, so basically by trying to pass me you’re creating that kind of problem.” Christian Horner also reported a “gentlemen’s agreement” whereby drivers have a seat at the end of their out-laps, although Sky Sports F1’s Jenson Button believed a penalty could have been issued for potentially dangerous driving. “I don’t think any of it was intentional, when Lando says he turned left on me, I don’t think he did,” said Button, the 2009 world champion. “He [Max] he’s not looking in his mirrors, he looks like he’s hit the gas to try and warm up the tires and that’s put him in a position that looks like he’s moving on lando. Did he have to do this? No. “He’s going too slow coming out of a 200mph corner, so that’s the problem he’s got. “None of it was intentional, but the problem is that it could have been a huge incident and it was very close to being a huge incident between the two cars.” Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player Lewis Hamilton admits his straight line speed cost him in qualifying which means he will start sixth in his Mercedes at the Japanese Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton admits his straight line speed cost him in qualifying which means he will start sixth in his Mercedes at the Japanese Grand Prix

The other qualifying stories and the final time sheet

Red Bull and Ferrari were in a league of their own on Saturday – while Mercedes were locked in a back-to-back battle with McLaren and Alpine. Lacking straight-line speed in a car they’re certainly eager to see the back of, Hamilton and Russell had to give it their all to make it to Q3 and in the end could only manage sixth and eighth respectively. They were beaten by Ocon and sandwiched by Fernando Alonso’s other impressive Alpino. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly was none too pleased as brake problems saw him ruled out of Q1 in Japan
AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly was none too pleased as brake problems saw him ruled out of Q1 in Japan Vettel still survived the penalties, reaching Q3, while Aston Martin team-mate Lance Stroll was eliminated in Q2, while one of the big disappointments fell to AlphaTauri. Pierre Gasly, who earlier in Suzuka morning was finally confirmed as Alpine driver for 2023, qualified just 17th. Watch Max Verstappen bid to seal his second world championship live on Sky Sports F1 on Sunday. The Japanese GP starts at 6pm, with warm-up starting at 4.30am.