Carlos Sainz will start the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix from third place on the grid but it was so, so close to being first - that's how tight it is at the top in Formula 1 right now - and enough to give the Ferrari driver inspiration to take the fight to pole man Max Verstappen.
The Red Bull driver will start from pole, with Sainz's teammate Charles Leclerc in second leaving the Spaniard lamenting how close he came but to no avail. He needed only 0.057s to steal top spot but instead, he will start from third, behind Verstappen.
Speaking in parc ferme after an intriguing qualifying at Suzuka, Sainz said: "It was a very clean lap and a very good lap all the way until the last corner. It's a shame to be again half a tenth away from pole, it's been so many qualys now with Max and Charles that we're always within half a tenth.
"It's fallen mostly to the other side and hopefully towards the end of the season this half-a-tenth falls a little bit more to my side and I can get a pole position.
"I think the weather tomorrow is going to play its part, the rain is going to arrive. We don't know if it is going to arrive at 2pm, 3pm or 4pm! There's plenty that could happen tomorrow and there's also a great opportunity starting in P3, we managed to save also a set of softs in case we need it.
"We're in a good position to fight Max," declared Sainz who lies fifth in the 2022 F1 drivers standings, one behind Mercedes driver George Russell.
In the Ferrari team report, the Spaniard added: "In general, the car felt good today and I’ve been comfortable with the balance all weekend but we are aiming to get both cars up there again. We’ll give everything until the chequered flag!"
In his five previous visits to Suzuka, Sainz's best result was fifth in 2019 when he drove for McLaren. Due to the two years off the calendar, this is his first race at the venue as a Ferrari driver.
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