JAKARTA - Red Bull Racing racer, Max Verstappen, has won the pole position for the Japan GP F1 race. This opens up opportunities for him to be able to seal the title at the SUzuka Circuit.
Verstappen was the fastest in the qualifying session which took place Saturday, October 8. The Dutchman recorded qualifying time of 1 minute 29.304 seconds.
Verstappen can seal the title if he wins in SUzuka with one additional point from the fastest lap, no matter which position his rivals finish.
If you can't get additional points from the fastest lap, Verstappen can also defend his title if Leclerc finishes third or lower.
"I don't think too much about it, just try my best every day," said Verstappen, who has won 11 out of 17 races this season.
"I think what's more important is that we have a competitive car and it's clear from what we got today in qualifying. Hopefully tomorrow it will be the same in the race because we need the perfect race so we can win tomorrow," he continued, as quoted from AFP via Antara.
He was in danger of losing pole after stewards investigated the track incident involving him with McLaren's Lando Norris. His decision was that Verstappen was reprimanded, but still entitled to start from the front position.
Verstappen and Norris almost collided in qualifying when the Dutchman suddenly turned left. The McLaren driver was forced to escape so he drove to the grass.
Verstappen then blamed Norris. He said Norris should have respected the other riders in the chicane.
"I don't think anyone will try to overtake in the last chicane, so basically by trying to get past me then you create that problem," Verstappen said.
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