The Briton had made an good getaway from the front of the grid and seemed to have the speed to lead into the first corner.
However, during the second phase of acceleration, fellow front-row starter Verstappen was able to outdrag the McLaren and seized the lead after surging through on the inside.
Norris admitted that perhaps he had played things too "safe", but he was not convinced about why Verstappen had jumped him.
"I have to review it," said Norris when asked about his explanation for losing the lead at the start. "It's something to look back on. My initial start was good, but my second phase of the launch, maybe I was just a bit conservative.
"I don't think I had any wheelspin. I was just a little bit on the safe side. So, things to improve for tomorrow."
Verstappen himself concurred with Norris's view that it was the second phase of the start that proved critical.
"It was, of course important to try and get ahead at the start," said the world champion. "I think the initial launch wasn't, let's say, amazing, but the second part of the start was very good. So, we got alongside and then it was all about management."
Source: Autosport