Zoom The fastest three in qualifying for the Japanese GP

Championship leader Lewis Hamilton put himself on pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix by just over two-tenths of a second from Kimi Raikkonen. Heikki Kovalainen starts third in the second McLaren and here's what the fastest three had to say this afternoon at Fuji Speedway.

Q: Lewis, that looked pretty close. You were just behind Felipe in Q2 but a great run in Q3 for you.
Lewis HAMILTON: Yeah, we had quite a good qualifying session, quite a bit different to Singapore and to Monza but we didn’t have any problems through Q2, so it was pretty straightforward. We were very quick in Q1 and we were also very quick in Q2 but Felipe obviously was 0.2 quicker but at least that got us through and usually when you put the heavier fuel in, it gets tougher. The first lap didn’t seem to be very good. I think Kimi was just ahead of me. I think I was third. The last lap I managed to put all the sectors together and pick up my last sector and bring it home, so I was very, very happy. The team have done a phenomenal job. As you know the reliability of our car has been phenomenal for the last two years, so without them we obviously wouldn’t have this. It is all down to them.

Q: What is it about you and Fuji as you seem to love this place.
LH: I do like Fuji. I love it here in Japan. It is my third time in Japan. The whole atmosphere here is quite unique. I think the people here are probably the nicest people I have ever met and the food is great. We are out in the mountains next to Mount Fuji which is a spectacular view. The track is really cool. The whole feeling around here feels good and it is great to be here again.

Q: What was the mood like between Q2 and Q3 as Felipe has been slightly quicker in Q2?
LH: Going into qualifying we had already decided what our strategy would be and we believed it would be competitive and put us in a good position for the race. But as you know always in qualifying it is down to you not making mistakes and putting the sectors together and really pulling out the lap and so it can be very tough but again we had very good pace here. We have been able to outpace the Ferraris which is great for us and I think a really strong showing from me and from Heikki, so hopefully tomorrow we can push forward with the strategy we have and really challenge for the front.

Q: Kimi, back on the front row for the first time since Magny-Cours.