The pilot of the Mercedes of Nico Rosberg won the qualification race at the Grand Prix of Japan.
The first segment with a score of 1:31.659 won the racer Ferrari Vettel, behind which is located Raikkonen, Rosberg and Hamilton. Qualifications were completed for the Button (“McLaren”), Magnussen (“Reno”), Ericsson and Nasr (both “Zauber”), aukon and Wehrlein (both “manor”).
Rosberg at the start of the second segment won Suzuka in 1:30.714 – this result remained the best in this segment. The top 10 was no place for Bottas and Massa (both “Williams”), Kvyat and Sainz Jr. (both Toro Rosso), Alonso (“McLaren”) and Palmer (“Reno”).
The fight for pole position, Hamilton started the better, ahead of partner on one and a half tenths of a second. The final wave of quick laps left for Rosberg under the checkered flag, the German was given a lap at 1:30.647. Hamilton improved his result, but still lost the only rival in the fight for the title.
Grand Prix of Japan. Qualifying results:
1. Nico Rosberg (“Mercedes”) — 1:30.647
2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) +0.013
3. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) +0.302
4. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) +0.381
5. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.531
6. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) +0.593
7. Sergio Perez (“Force India”) +1.314
8. Romain Grosjean (“Haas”) +1.314
9. Nico Hulkenberg (“Force India”) +1.495
10. Esteban Gutierrez (“Haas”) +1.900
