Hamilton steered his Mercedes to a sizzling track record of one minute, 27.319 seconds — a remarkable 10th pole in 16 races this season.
Suzuka: Lewis Hamilton struck a huge psychological blow in the Formula One title race Saturday with a sizzling qualifying drive to take pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix.
The Briton, who leads Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel by 34 points with five races left, steered his Mercedes to a sizzling track record of one minute, 27.319 seconds — a remarkable 10th pole in 16 races this season.
Valtteri Bottas clocked the second-best time, but Vettel will join Hamilton on the front row after the Finn incurred a five-place grid penalty for a gearbox change to his Mercedes on Friday.
« The car is crazy here, » said Hamilton after his 71st career pole, and first at Suzuka.
« This track has always been one of the greatest and with this car it’s just mind-blowing, » added the triple world champion, looking to hit back in Japan after being stunned by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in Malaysia last weekend.
« It’s just insane speeds that this car is throwing us around inside and the way you can throw the car around is like the craziest roller-coaster ride.
« It’s incredible, it’s been 10 years trying to get that pole position — 10th time lucky! »
A three-time winner of the Japanese Grand Prix, Hamilton fired a clear warning to Vettel, who realistically needs to win this weekend to revive his fading title hopes.
