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Championship leader Lewis Hamilton claimed pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix on Saturday, leading a double for Mercedes and getting closer to his fifth Formula 1 title.
In the threatening rain, Hamilton clocked a 1-minute, 27.760-second lead to lead Valtteri Bottas to 0.299. Red Bull driver Max Verstappen was third.
Mercedes perfectly read the weather conditions and ensured that both drivers recorded their best laps at the start of the third qualifying round, before the rain took hold to secure their fifth consecutive double at Suzuka.
"The call we made to come out in the third quarter is probably the most difficult call," Hamilton said. "You've all seen us fumbling and trying to find a solution.The team was on task and this gave us the opportunity to take that pole position."
The qualifying race for Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel did not go so well as the German crashed on a wet track and got lost. Vettel finished ninth, which further reduced his chances of catching Hamilton in the championship race.
With five races to go, Hamilton leads Vettel with 50 points in the standings. The winners of the race get 25 points.
Hamilton, who won the 80th pole of his career, will attempt to win his fifth victory in the Japanese Grand Prix during Sunday's race.
"A big thank you to everyone who came back to the factory," Hamilton said. "I am so proud to travel with them, never in a million years, I would have thought to reach 80 years old.
Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari driver, was fourth in Japan ahead of Haas driver Romain Grosjean.
The afternoon was disappointing for Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo, who finished 15th after failing to score in the second qualifying session.
Brendon Hartley, of Toro Rosso, won his best grid position in sixth, one place ahead of teammate Pierre Gasly.
Esteban Ocon finished eighth ahead of Vettel, his Force India teammate Sergio Perez finishing in the top 10.
Marcus Ericsson crashed on turn 7 at the start of the session.
The Sauber driver ran away into the grass and pioneered a path in a barrier leading to a six-minute red flag.
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