Hamilton roars back with ‘crazy’ Japan pole
SUZUKA, JAPAN: 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.
“The car is a lot different this weekend and a lot more enjoyable to drive,” said Hamilton. “It’s definitely great when it comes together like this. Naturally the Ferraris will be rapid tomorrow but the plan is to keep them behind.”
Vettel, who finished fourth in Malaysia after starting from last, set the tempo in Friday’s rain-hit practice but was well off the pace in qualifying.
“I tried everything on that last lap as I knew I had to take a bit more risks,” said the German.
“I knew that we’d be on front row because of Valtteri’s penalty so I’m pretty happy.”