After dominating all three practice sessions in Suzuka, the four time world champion claimed pole position in qualifying.

In second place is Bottas followed by Verstappen in third.

Hamiltons main title rival Sebastian Vettel is down in 9th place. Ferrari didnt get the strategy right for both of their drivers and this saw them qualify 4th for Raikkonen and 9th for Sebasitan Vettel

Times
1 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:27.760
2 Valtteri Bottas Mercedes 0.299s
3 Max Verstappen Red Bull 1.297s
4 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 1.761s
5 Romain Grosjean Haas 2.001s
6 Brendon Hartley Toro Rosso 2.263s
7 Pierre Gasly Toro Rosso 2.333s
8 Esteban Ocon Force India 2.366s
9 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 4.432s
10 Sergio Perez Force India 9.469s
11 Charles Leclerc Sauber 1:29.864
12 Kevin Magnussen Haas 1:30.226
13 Carlos Sainz Renault 1:30.490
14 Lance Stroll Williams 1:30.714
15 Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull no times
16 Nico Hulkenberg Renault 1:30.361
17 Sergey Sirotkin Williams 1:30.372
18 Fernando Alonso McLaren 1:20.573
19 Stoffel Vandoorne McLaren 1:31.041
20 Marcus Ericsson Sauber 1:31.213