LANDO NORRIS edged out Max Verstappen for pole position as the title-rivals prepare for battle on the front of the grid in Singapore on Sunday.
The Dutchman will be breathing down the McLaren driver s neck after securing second “place, just ahead of third-place Lewis Hamilton.
Norris knows it is do or die in with the 24-year-old 59 points Verstappen in the driver’s championship with seven races to go.
Carlos Sainz crashed the back of his car into the barriers prompting a red flag in Q3 leaving him to settle for tenth while his ninth-place Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc had his lap time deleted.
Norris said: It was tough. I was finding it difficult to progress and get lap time. A lot of the guys around were getting quicker and quicker, it put me under pressure.
A good feeling, I felt confident, maybe not so much in qualis but we got the job done.
It gets your heart rate going, it’s good fun , the car has been feeling good. I did the job I had to do today, excited to see what we can do tomorrow.
I had faith we were quick. I didn’t have to over push, it’s a nice feeling. I kept it cool and did what I had to do.”
Hamilton added: “Qualifying has been a disaster for me all year long. I have been working to try to get myself back up there.
“The car came alive in qualifying, getting that lap at the end was a bit tricky. I’m really grateful. Mechanics have been faultless.
“I hope we’re in a good position to fight for the front tomorrow.”
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