Max Verstappen has declared he `won`t make it easy` for McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri at the Japanese Grand Prix, with rain expected at the Suzuka circuit.
Verstappen surprised many by securing pole position, his first in over nine months, after McLaren showed dominant pace in earlier practice sessions.
Norris and Piastri each have victories from the first two races of the season. Norris currently leads the championship, with Verstappen trailing by just eight points.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Verstappen acknowledged the race pace might be challenging for his team. He emphasized that securing pole doesn`t guarantee a win, but affirmed his intent to compete fiercely for victory. He also mentioned the uncertain weather conditions and hoped for an exciting race.
While McLaren is anticipated to have a better race pace, they will need to overtake Verstappen either on track or through strategic decisions if they don`t get ahead at the start.
Suzuka Circuit is known for its difficulty in overtaking, featuring only one DRS zone on the main straight. The fast corners in the first sector also make it challenging to follow closely, making track position crucial.
Reflecting on past races, while Verstappen pressured Norris in the Australian Grand Prix, McLaren managed to build a significant 20-second lead before safety car interventions.
In the Chinese Grand Prix, Verstappen was initially 16 seconds behind Piastri, losing time on medium tires in the first stint but maintaining the gap on hard tires.
Verstappen admitted winning would be tough but stated his determination to give his best effort. He highlighted the long championship ahead and the importance of consistently scoring points, emphasizing the advantage of starting from pole position.
Lando Norris expressed his anticipation for a battle with Verstappen, recalling their past duels and looking forward to another one. He acknowledged the weather as a significant unknown factor, potentially leading to a race similar to the eventful Melbourne Grand Prix.
Oscar Piastri believes McLaren has strong pace and aims to improve upon his starting position. He remains optimistic about the race outcome.
The prospect of rain raises the potential for a chaotic race, reminiscent of the Australian Grand Prix where wet conditions led to numerous incidents and mistakes, even among experienced drivers.
Current forecasts predict heavy rain in Suzuka in the morning, easing by the afternoon before the race start at 3pm local time (6am UK time). A wet start is probable, promising a thrilling first lap.
Race officials are also hoping the rain will mitigate the risk of further grass fires, following five incidents during Saturday`s qualifying session.
Lewis Hamilton, starting from eighth, hopes for rain to improve his chances of moving up the grid. His teammate Charles Leclerc starts fourth, while George Russell and Kimi Antonelli aim for podium finishes from fifth and sixth respectively. Local driver Yuki Tsunoda will be trying to advance from 14th position.
