Rosberg beats Hamilton for pole in Japan

Rarely has a qualifying session been so competitive this year. At the end of the first attempts in the last part of Q3 this morning in Japan, Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) was the fastest by 195 thousandths ahead of his teammate Nico Rosberg, but the top 6 completed by the Ferrari and Red Bull was only separated by 482 thousandths.

A ranking which would finally evolve in the last moments of the session, with a final decisive lap from Nico Rosberg. The championship leader completed the reference lap in 1’30″647, and finally ahead of Hamilton by 13 thousandths. Rosberg thus continues his domination over the Suzuka weekend, after three best times in free practice.

The two Mercedes drivers will start on the front row in front of the Ferrari of Kimi Räikkönen, who was faster than his teammate Sebastian Vettel this Saturday morning. The German from Scuderia Ferrari will, however, start the Grand Prix from seventh position, following his penalty received in Malaysia.

Max Verstappen (Red Bull) will start alongside Räikkönen on the second row and precedes his teammate Daniel Ricciardo and the Force India of Sergio Pérez. Alongside Sebastian Vettel, Romain Grosjean (Haas), present in Q3 just like his teammate Esteban Gutiérrez (a first for the American team this year), will start eighth in front Hulkenberg (Force India) and Gutiérrez.

Haas' good performance in qualifying relegates both Williams de Bottas and Massa in 11th and 12th positions. THE Toro Rosso by Daniil Kvyat and Carlos Sainz will follow on the starting grid in front of the McLaren de Fernando Alonso, disappointed with his 15th place in front of an audience fully committed to the MP4-31 – Honda cause.

Jolyon Palmer places first Renault R.S.16 in 16th place, and reached Q2 unlike Jenson Button (McLaren) and his teammate Kevin Magnussen. The Saubers of Ericsson and Nasr, as well as the Manors of Or with and Wehrlein, whose penalty for changing gearbox will not change its position, bring up the rear.

The Japanese Grand Prix will be followed live with commentary with our live-text from 7 a.m. tomorrow morning on AUTOhebdo.fr.

Qualification results