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SUZUKA, Japan (AP) – Championship leader Lewis Hamilton clinched pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix on Saturday, leading to a brace for Mercedes and moving closer to his fifth Formula One 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, which 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 and eighth, further increasing his chances of catching Hamilton in the championship race.
"This is not the position in which we deserve to be," said Vettel. I think we had better speed than the ninth, but we start there and see how it goes. Anything can happen tomorrow, tomorrow is a new day. Of course, it's not easy to go back further, but it's not impossible. "
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. & # 39; & # 39; I am so proud to travel with them. Never in a million years I would have thought to reach 80 years old. & # 39; & # 39;
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 got his best position on the grid in sixth place, 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.
But later, Ocon was inflicted a penalty on the grid and will start the race from the 11th. The race officials decided that he had not slowed down enough during the red flag period.
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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