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Lando Norris insists he is much happier with his McLaren Formula 1 car than he was in China - despite being beaten to Japanese Grand Prix pole by Max Verstappen.
The current championship leader bemoaned small margins for missing out on pole by 0.012 seconds at Suzuka as Verstappen surprisingly took the top spot ahead of both Norris and his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri.
Throughout the Chinese Grand Prix weekend a fortnight ago Norris spoke of how difficult he found the car to drive, with small errors costing him in both qualifying sessions and the sprint race in Shanghai.
Now he feels in a better position, despite having been pipped to pole by Verstappen and going quickest in FP1 and FP3, while Piastri was top of the pile in second practice.
“I was pretty happy with my lap, honestly,” said Norris.
“I tried pushing a good amount more in Q3 run one and it didn't work out, clearly. So I just had to kind of peg it back a lot.
“I was happy with the balance and happy with the car at the end. So I mean, the margin is so small… but just not enough for pole today.
“[I’m] much happier than China, yeah. I mean, the car's a lot more back to my liking. I've got some front end in the car, and I'm much, much happier with that.
Lando Norris, McLaren
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Lando Norris, McLarenZak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
“I've been feeling confident all weekend. If it was a sprint race, I feel like I'd be much further ahead.
“But everyone's good enough that, by the time you get to qualifying, they kind of catch up a bit. I've been feeling good, but the car's been feeling good from the off as well.
“We've been chipping away, and I think between both of us, we've been quickest in every session, bar this one. So it's a little frustrating, but I think the corners I still struggle with and the corners I'm still not happiest with are the corners I still just don't have the front-end and I don't have the grip in the car when I need it from the front.
“So it's clear what suits me, what doesn't, or just what allows me to be quick and what doesn't. China was one of those weaker tracks and come here and the car's a lot better.”
Norris defeated Verstappen by less than a second to win the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, a race where downpours certainly added to the spectacle.
With rain forecast overnight at Suzuka and potential for showers on Sunday, Norris was not prepared to predict what might happen as he once again battles Verstappen off the line.
“No one knows what the weather's going to be like tomorrow, so no point trying to think of too many things,” he said.
“I think we'll do our homework tonight. It's probably going to be a bit of a race like Melbourne, and that was an exciting race for everyone but now I've got to try do some overtakes, we will see.
“It is exciting, the unknown of the weather is going to make it exciting and nerve-wracking for everyone and I’ve got to try and get past the man on my left [Verstappen].”
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Oscar Piastri, McLarenToshifumi Kitamura - AFP - Getty Images
Toshifumi Kitamura - AFP - Getty Images
Piastri, who won in China having taken his first-ever grand prix pole, will start on the second row after losing time during the fast first sector.
The Australian set the fastest times in sectors two and three but could not make up for the valuable moments lost at the start of his final flying lap and, in direct contrast to his team-mate, said he has had to work harder to find the McLaren's sweet spot at Suzuka.
“It wasn't my best sector one,” he conceded. “I think I lost a little bit of time compared to the first lap of Q3 and, when the gap is 0.040s from first to third, you think about it quite a bit.
“I've been pretty comfortable through qualifying - I think the first lap of Q3 was a good one.
“The second one, just a little bit off the mark in a couple of places but I had to dial myself in a bit more this weekend than I did last race, and it's taken a bit longer to get there.
“I think looking at the margins and how I’ve performed, I've been pretty happy, just those little margins which, when it is so tight, make all the difference, clearly.
“[Now] just see what the weather does. Obviously, the game plan is to try and finish two spots ahead of where I'm starting. But apart from that, we'll see what we get tomorrow first.”
Photos from Japanese GP - Practice & Qualifying
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
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Pierre Gasly, AlpineSam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Lewis Hamilton, FerrariMark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamPeter Fox - Getty Images
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamPeter Fox - Getty Images
Peter Fox - Getty Images
Alexander Albon, Williams
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Alexander Albon, WilliamsJayce Illman - Getty Images
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Fans of Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
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Fans of Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing TeamPeter Fox - Getty Images
Peter Fox - Getty Images
Isack Hadjar, Racing bulls Team
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Isack Hadjar, Racing bulls TeamKym Illman (Getty Images)
Kym Illman (Getty Images)
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
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Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing TeamMark Thompson - Getty Images
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingMark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
The Suzuka Circuit entrance
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The Suzuka Circuit entrance Kym Illman (Getty Images)
Kym Illman (Getty Images)
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
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Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing TeamMark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingMark Thompson - Getty Images
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamPeter Fox - Getty Images
Peter Fox - Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Charles Leclerc, FerrariToshifumi Kitamura - AFP - Getty Images
Toshifumi Kitamura - AFP - Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team
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Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls TeamRudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Andrea Stella, McLaren
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Andrea Stella, McLarenKym Illman (Getty Images)
Kym Illman (Getty Images)
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesKym Illman (Getty Images)
Kym Illman (Getty Images)
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
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Gabriel Bortoleto, SauberAndy Hone / Motorsport Images
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
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Lewis Hamilton, FerrariMark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
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Liam Lawson, Racing BullsRudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Jack Doohan, Alpine
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Jack Doohan, AlpineSam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Antonio Giovinazzi, Reserve Driver, Scuderia Ferrari
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Antonio Giovinazzi, Reserve Driver, Scuderia FerrariMark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Jack Doohan, Alpine
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Jack Doohan, AlpineMark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesBryn Lennon - Formula 1
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingDavid Mareuil - Anadolu - Getty Images
David Mareuil - Anadolu - Getty Images
Carlos Sainz, Williams
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Carlos Sainz, WilliamsBryn Lennon - Formula 1
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
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Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull RacingMark Thompson - Getty Images
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingPhilip Fong - AFP - Getty Images
Philip Fong - AFP - Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Oscar Piastri, McLarenZak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Charles Leclerc, FerrariToshifumi Kitamura - AFP - Getty Images
Toshifumi Kitamura - AFP - Getty Images
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
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Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull RacingClive Mason - Getty Images
Clive Mason - Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
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Lando Norris, McLarenMark Thompson - Getty Images
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
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Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, MercedesToshifumi Kitamura - AFP - Getty Images
Toshifumi Kitamura - AFP - Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Charles Leclerc, FerrariBryn Lennon - Formula 1
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
George Russell, Mercedes
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George Russell, MercedesZak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Cherry Blossom by the side of the track
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Cherry Blossom by the side of the trackPeter Fox - Getty Images
Peter Fox - Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Charles Leclerc, Ferrari David Mareuil - Anadolu - Getty Images
David Mareuil - Anadolu - Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
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Pierre Gasly, AlpineMark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
George Russell, Mercedes
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George Russell, MercedesClive Mason - Getty Images
Clive Mason - Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
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Lando Norris, McLarenZak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
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Lance Stroll, Aston Martin RacingRudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Isack Hadjar, Racing bulls Team
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Isack Hadjar, Racing bulls TeamMark Thompson - Getty Images
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
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Lando Norris, McLarenToshifumi Kitamura - AFP - Getty Images
Toshifumi Kitamura - AFP - Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
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Oscar Piastri, McLarenJayce Illman - Getty Images
Jayce Illman - Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Charles Leclerc, FerrariAndy Hone / Motorsport Images
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Fans fill a grandstand during final practice
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Fans fill a grandstand during final practice Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Carlos Sainz, Williams
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Carlos Sainz, WilliamsMark Thompson - Getty Images
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Jack Doohan, Alpine
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Jack Doohan, AlpineMark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
A track marshal waters down the dried out grass along the side of the track
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A track marshal waters down the dried out grass along the side of the trackToshifumi Kitamura - AFP - Getty Images
Toshifumi Kitamura - AFP - Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingZak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
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Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingPeter Fox - Getty Images
Peter Fox - Getty Images
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
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Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, SauberZak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Polesitter Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Polesitter Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingAndy Hone / Motorsport Images
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingKym Illman (Getty Images)
Kym Illman (Getty Images)
Jack Doohan, Alpine
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Jack Doohan, AlpineJayce Illman - Getty Images
Jayce Illman - Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Charles Leclerc, FerrariJayce Illman - Getty Images
Jayce Illman - Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
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Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamKym Illman (Getty Images)
Kym Illman (Getty Images)
Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingBryn Lennon - Formula 1
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls
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Isack Hadjar, Racing BullsJayce Illman - Getty Images
Jayce Illman - Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
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Charles Leclerc, FerrariSam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingBryn Lennon - Formula 1
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
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Liam Lawson, Racing BullsBryn Lennon - Formula 1
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
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Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingBryn Lennon - Formula 1
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
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