Japanese Grand Prix Qualifying

Challenge is something all drivers in Formula One seek for. Challenge from his fellow colleagues  challenge from the abiotic components, and challenge from the kerbs and corners. The F1 circus finally arrives at Japan - one of the only places where there's that challenge that all drivers look for. From Fuji to Suzuka, the one thing that's still not changed is the atmosphere in Japan. As Sebastian Vettel puts it correctly - "there is a fantastic atmosphere, crazy Japanese fans. They are very passionate about us coming here and I think all the drivers we do get a lot of respect when we come here but equally a lot of support."

As a grand prix preview, the Red Bulls head strong to Japan having won the last 4 races with Sebastian Vettel, and have a possibility of winning the driver's championship too. But their 2nd car belonging to Webber needs some work to be done after it got charred last weekend. Red Bull made a few changes to their set up after FP1 to increase their speed down the straights, which saw Vettel once again top the sheets with his teammate right below him in P2 in the afternoon practice session. In FP3 though, Webber set a time in the end moments t snatch P1 from Lewis Hamiton while his teammate and soon-to-be-4 time world champion, Vettel had to retire with 10 mintues n the clock due to a KERS issue which has been pretty prevalent this season. 

Qualifying was a fiery session. Literally. And also sprung up surprising results. Surviving a red flag due to a fire in Jean Eric-Vergne's car, a brief fire in the garage of Esteban Gutierrez, is Mark Webber on pole position for the first time this season. Behind him is Vettel, who despite a KERS issue made a flying lap good enough for P2. Further back is Lewis Hamilton, who looked like a pole challenger until qualifying. 

Here are the full results: 
w 11. Mark Webber 1’30.915
Red Bull
2. Sebastian Vettel 1’31.089
Red Bull
Row 23. Lewis Hamilton 1’31.253
Mercedes
4. Romain Grosjean 1’31.365
Lotus
Row 35. Felipe Massa 1’31.378
Ferrari
6. Nico Rosberg 1’31.397
Mercedes
Row 47. Nico Hulkenberg 1’31.644
Sauber
8. Fernando Alonso 1’31.665
Ferrari
Row 59. Kimi Raikkonen 1’31.684
Lotus
10. Jenson Button 1’31.827
McLaren
Row 611. Sergio Perez 1’31.989
McLaren
12. Paul di Resta 1’31.992
Force India
Row 713. Valtteri Bottas 1’32.013
Williams
14. Esteban Gutierrez 1’32.063
Sauber
Row 815. Pastor Maldonado 1’32.093
Williams
16. Daniel Ricciardo 1’32.485
Toro Rosso
Row 917. Jean-Eric Vergne 1’33.357
Toro Rosso
18. Max Chilton 1’34.32
Marussia
Row 1019. Giedo van der Garde 1’34.879
Caterham
20. Charles Pic* 1’34.556
Caterham
Row 1121. Jules Bianchi* 1’34.958
Marussia
22. Adrian Sutil** 1’32.89
Force India

** Adrian Sutil drops 5 places due to a untimely gearbox change
*  Pic and Bianchi fall 10 positions each for bagging their
3rd reprimand of the season


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