Lando Norris 'hats off' to unbelievable Max Verstappen after Japan pole agony

Lando Norris has recognised Max Verstappen's remarkable new lap record for the Suzuka circuit, giving the four-time F1 champion a stunning pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix.

The McLaren driver had been the favourite for the top spot on the grid going into the session after leading the way in the first and third free practice sessions and being comfortably quickest in Q2.

Following his final run in Q3, Norris was poised for pole after posting a lap of 1:26.995s, at the time a new lap record, beating the 1:27.064s from Sebastian Vettel in 2019. 

That was until Verstappen stunned Norris and McLaren with a 1:26.983s to claim pole position by just 0.012s. 

Norris congratulated his rival on defeating him to pole, additionally conceding he had nothing left to give.

"Yeah, I'm happy," insisted Norris. "Congrats to Max, he did a good job. So it's hats off. You have 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. [The gap] It's tiny. Was there probably that much in it? Yes, but Max did an amazing lap. 

"So we're happy for both of us to be up there, for us to be fighting for pole is good, but just not enough."

Q3 mistake

Norris had only his final lap in Q3 to challenge for pole position, following a costly mistake on his first flying lap. 

The championship leader made an error on the exit of Turn 7, costing him several tenths and putting all the pressure on his final lap.

It has become a common occurence the Briton making mistakes at costly moments; however, he stressed that he could not improve on his best lap time.

"I dipped a wheel on the exit of Turn 7, and like, seven is the last place you want to make a mistake," said Norris. 

"It's just a couple of mistakes, and it shows how easy it is to lose lap time at the same time. So my lap was very good, I'm very happy. 

"If I was to go again, I probably wouldn't go as quick as I did. So I feel like we're on the limit of what we had. We just didn't have enough today."