Lewis Hamilton clinches his first Suzuka Japanese Grand Prix pole.
A track record in the bag and pole 71 of his career, Lewis Hamilton mastered Suzuka to clinch his first pole at the circuit. His second in the country after topping the Fuji timesheet during his debut season. The lap today, though, a show of strength as he demolished Michael Schumacher’s 11-year record by 1.6 seconds.
Valtteri Bottas tops the final practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix.
Valtteri Bottas posts the fastest lap around Suzuka in the final practice session, despite a crash that later ruled the Finn out after twenty minutes. Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen then took the restart and crashed himself at Degner 2 to rule both Finn’s out of the session, while the Scuderia lacked the pace to match the race-focused Mercedes.
Second free practice at the Japanese Grand Prix topped by Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton.
Forty-five minutes of delay were met with eventual running as five drivers posted a timed lap at Suzuka, and a further nine carrying out exploratory runs. With Lewis Hamilton fastest of those by eight-tenths of a second to Force India’s Esteban Ocon – the first driver to test the standing water resting at the first and final corners.
Sebastian Vettel tops first free practice for the Japanese Grand Prix.
The beauty of the 2017 aero regulations came out on top in opening practice for the Japanese Grand Prix. Highlighting the planted nature the high downforce gives, only teasing what qualifying will show tomorrow through the swooping esses. With Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel topping the opening timesheet from title-rival Lewis Hamilton, as Carlos Sainz brings out the red flags for after crashing at the hairpin.
Preview round 16 of the FIA Formula One World Championship, the Japanese Grand Prix.
Sebastian Vettel is clear to race Lewis Hamilton at the Japanese Grand Prix after Ferrari cleared his Malaysia Grand Prix gearbox of any damage from the post-race shunt with Lance Stroll that cost the Prancing Horse a wheel. Meaning no grid-penalties are guaranteed for the title-chasing German, as he looks to begin a sizeable turnaround at the only figure of eight circuit on the F1 calendar.
Nico Rosberg wins the 2016 Japanese Grand Prix.
Overnight rain left half of the Japanese Grand Prix grid wet, leaving Hamilton to ponder how to get the best start from second. Unfortunately, his best efforts were not good enough and he fell down the order. And while he recovered, his team-mate soared off into the distance to win the race in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Rosberg completes Japanese Grand Prix clean sweep in qualifying.
Fastest in practice and qualifying, Rosberg remains on top in Suzuka to claim third straight Japanese Grand Prix pole. Narrowly edging Hamilton for the top spot, as McLaren faltered at Honda’s home and Ferrari bettered the ‘Bulls.
Nico Rosberg remains on top at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Three from three at the Japanese Grand Prix as Nico Rosberg goes top in final Suzuka practice. Hamilton may not have posted a soft tyre flyer in the final stages, but Rosberg completes a practice clean sweep as Renault end the hour in the top 10.
Nico Rosberg goes quickest in FP2 at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Narrow margins split the Silver Arrows, as Rosberg comes out fighting in FP2. Retaining the deficit from the opening session, leaving Hamilton to cross the line marginally down to his team-mate at the Japanese GP.
Nico Rosberg on top in FP1 for the Japanese Grad Prix.
Suzuka speed sits with Rosberg, as the championship leader sets the early pace. Edging Hamilton for the top spot, while Ferrari and Red Bull linger a second off the pace. In a session where Alonso and Grosjean both found the barriers.
Kyle Archer 