Title-chasing Max Verstappen pips Charles Leclerc for pole in Japan

Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen celebrates after taking pole at Suzuka. Pic/Getty Images

Max Verstappen gave himself a great chance to retain his Formula One world title at Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix after grabbing pole in Suzuka. The Red Bull driver topped the timesheets in qualifying with a time of 1min 29.304sec, just 0.010sec ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, his nearest championship rival.

Carlos Sainz was third in the other Ferrari. Verstappen then faced a nervous wait after stewards said they would investigate a scary on-track incident involving the Dutchman and McLaren's Lando Norris. Verstappen was given a reprimand but will remain in pole.

He can clinch the title on Sunday if he wins the race with the fastest lap, no matter what his rivals do. He will also retain his crown if he wins and Leclerc is third or lower. "I'm not thinking about it too much, just taking it day by day," said Verstappen, 25, who has won 11 of 17 races this season. "I think what was more important is that we've had a competitive car and clearly we had today in qualifying. I hope it's going to be the same tomorrow in the race because we do need a perfect race to be able to win it tomorrow."

Also Read: Italian GP Preview: F1 star Max Verstappen hoping to end Monza struggles

Verstappen and Norris had a close call in qualifying when the Dutchman nearly lost control of his car while on a slow lap at the final chicane as Norris raced up behind him. The McLaren driver was forced onto the grass to avoid hitting the Red Bull, with the championship leader muttering "unbelievable" over his team radio.

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