F1 2016: Rosberg outpaces Hamilton to grab pole for Japanese Grand Prix

Nico Rosberg outqualifies teammate Lewis Hamilton by 0.013s to clinch pole for the JapaneseGP.

Nico Rosberg pipped his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton to clinch pole for the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. The difference between the Mercedes duo was just 0.013 second as Rosberg edged past Hamilton. Completing the top three was Kimi Raikkonen of Scuderia Ferrari.

Sebastien Vettel was the fourth fastest driver today behind his teammate, although he will be serving a three-place grid penalty for his collision with Rosberg in last week's race in Malaysia. Behind Vettel, Max Verstappen of Red Bull racing finished fifth, outpacing his teammate and last race’s winner Daniel Ricciardo. Haas Racing’s Romain Grosjean starts seventh, followed by Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg of Force India. Esteban Gutierrez of Haas racing completes the top 10.

Both the William drivers – Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa – failed to make it to the top 10 yet again. Despite showing some progress in the last few races, the McLaren-Honda team is struggling again as Fernando Alonso could only manage the 15^th spot on the grid, while Jenson Button is 17^th.

Rosberg is currently leading the driver’s championship by 23 points over Hamilton. After blowing out his engine mid-race in Malaysia, Hamilton will be desperate to claw back some points from his teammate at Suzuka.

2016 F1 Japanese Grand Prix Qualifying Results (08/10/2016)

Suzuka Circuit - 5.807km, 18 Turns