Rosberg fends off Hamilton to seize pole

with four rounds remaining after Japan.

The Briton had been poised to vault back into the overall lead at the last race in Malaysia until he was forced out with an engine failure while on his way to a landmark 50th win just 16 laps from the finish.

Hamilton tends to save his best for the third qualifying session and the triple world champion appeared on course to snatch pole away from the German after going faster on the pair’s first attempts in the final 12-minute shootout.

Rosberg was not to be denied, however, and did just enough on his final flying lap to deny the Briton a maiden Suzuka pole.

“It’s been a weekend of a lot of work.. so considering that to be that close, I was really happy with it,” said Hamilton, who won the race from second on the grid in the last two years and can draw encouragement from that.

“I did as well as I could. History has shown that you don’t have to be on pole to get the win.”

Kimi Raikkonen was third for Ferrari on what has so far been a strong weekend for the Italian squad, one place ahead of team mate Sebastian Vettel, who will drop three spot as punishment for shoving Rosberg into a spin at the start in Malaysia.

Red Bull, who arrived on a high after inheriting a first one-two finish since the 2013 Brazilian Grand Prix in Malaysia, were unable to match the qualifying pace of their German and Italian rivals.