F1 | Red Bull, Perez is second: "I could have taken pole"

Suzuka - Sergio Perez conquers the front row in qualifying Japan: last time this happened to Miami, practically a year ago. In twelve months the Mexican has experienced a swing that has taken him from being a contender for the title to having one foot outside the pits of the Red Bull. Today, after several weekends at the back, Checo has the chance to fight for the double: he will, however, have to defend himself from a hungry Norris, third, and from Ferrari di Carlos Sainz, fourth, who showed a more than competitive race pace in FP3.

Perez: “If we can be fast in Suzuka, we can be fast everywhere”

“I'm satisfied with the front row; Suzuka was my worst qualifying last year, due to the balance and set-up, we had tried some crazy solutions that made me lose almost a second. Being able to keep up gives me a lot of confidence: if we can be fast in Suzuka, we can be fast everywhere – the Mexican said confidently – I lost half a tenth at the start of the lap, I think pole was possible. To beat Max I will have to start better than him: the start will be fundamental. I think we are at the same level when it comes to the long run."