Max Verstappen outlined the difficulties of the Suzuka track after gaining a fourth pole of the season at the Japanese Grand Prix.
The reigning world champion was quickest again in qualifying, just edging out his Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez in second.
Verstappen is a three-time back-to-back world champion and got his defence off to the perfect start this season with wins in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
But a problem with his brakes saw him retire early in Australia last time out and the gap closed at the top of the driver standings.
Max Verstappen admitted he found the Suzuka track difficult despite claiming pole
Sky Sports
The 26-year-old was in Japan aiming to bounce back from Red Bull's disappointment in Melbourne.
Verstappen was given a run for his money by Perez but again was quickest to earn a 36th career pole position.
He admitted the track was 'very sensitive' and he wasn't able to go full throttle at times.
Verstappen said: "Yeah it was quite close at the end. I think overall this track is very sensitive with the tyres, with the tarmac being really aggressive.
"When you really want to go to the limit it doesn't always work out. But nevertheless, I think it's most important to be on pole.
"Of course you want every lap to be perfect but around a track like this, that's not always the case.
"But yeah overall a very good day, a good starting position for tomorrow and of course tomorrow is what counts.
"It's great for the team of course to be P1 and P2 and hopefully of course we can keep that going for tomorrow. Great fan support here."
Perez also admitted he found the track 'tricky' but says Red Bull are well placed to do well on Sunday.
The Mexican said: "It was close today, really close with Max. It felt like a good lap.
"It was quite tricky out there actually, especially closing out the laps.
"It was quite easy to lose a couple of tenths into the last section and into the chicane, so we hooked it in all together. Unfortunately it was not quite enough.
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Max Verstappen has picked up a fourth pole position of the F1 season
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"We have been really close all weekend, qualifying as well, and when you are in that little margins anything can make a difference.
"I didn't have a great exit opening up the lap so for me that could have been the difference, but we are in a good position for tomorrow.
"Our long-run pace wasn't that strong this morning but we worked quite a bit and so hopefully tomorrow we will be able to be strong."
McLaren's Lando Norris qualified in third ahead of Australian Grand Prix winner Carlos Sainz.
Max Verstappen gained pole ahead of Sergio Perez and Lando Norris
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Fernando Alonso was in fifth ahead of Oscar Piastri, with Lewis Hamilton in seventh
.Ferrari's Charles Leclerc had a disappointing session and qualified in eighth.
George Russell was ninth, with Yuki Tsunoda down in 10th in his home race.
