Formula 1 | Norris after qualifying in Japan: “The objective is to recover as many points as possible”

Moderate satisfaction for Lando Norris at the end of the qualifying session valid for the Japanese Grand Prix, 18th round of the 2022 Formula 1 world championship. Despite a potential "disaster" with Max Verstappen's car at the end of Q3 (the Dutchman, in the way of warming up the tyres, he closed the line to the Englishman, taking the latter onto the grass when exiting the 130R), the McLaren driver managed to position his car in the final heat on Saturday, collecting a 10th place which keeps several opportunities open for tomorrow morning's race.

“They were difficult qualifying sessions, probably the most complex since the beginning of the season to date,” said the McLaren Englishman. “We probably could have improved our position by one or two places, but on balance it wouldn't have changed much from a race perspective. Our competitors seem very fast, but we will try to exploit all the opportunities that come our way. We will aim to recover points, so as to continue fighting for fourth place in the constructors' championship, currently in the hands of Alpine".

Quick reactions from Lando Norris! 😱#JapaneseGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/i36f2CgDHs

- Formula 1 (@ F1) October 8, 2022

On the episode with Max Verstappen, at the end of Q3, he instead declared: “There was no risk on my part, while what he did was quite dangerous. He tried not to let me pass, but with the speed I had we risked a big accident. We have been lucky. The drivers always overtake each other before the last corner. As much as everyone agrees not to do it, everyone does it. He would have done the same if he had been in my situation, but I wouldn't have swerved like that if I had been in front. In general I would say that he influenced my last qualifying lap."