Hamilton takes pole for Japanese Grand Prix

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton has claimed pole position for the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix.

The championship leader took his sixth pole of the season with a time of 1 minute, 18.404 seconds.

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen was second quickest, a quarter second behind the Briton, with McLaren's Heikki Kovalainen and Renault's Fernando Alonso third and fourth.

Hamilton's title rival Felipe Massa of Ferrari will start from fifth on the grid for Sunday's race.

Qualifying

Results from qualifying and practice Saturday for Sunday's Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at the 4.563-kilometer (2.835-mile) Fuji Speedway

1. Lewis Hamilton, Britain, McLaren, 1 minute, 18.404 seconds, 15 laps completed.

2. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Ferrari, 1:18.644, 20

3. Heikki Kovalainen, Finland, McLaren, 1:18.821, 22

4. Fernando Alonso, Spain, Renault, 1:18.852, 19

5. Felipe Massa, Brazil, Ferrari, 1:18.874, 18

6. Robert Kubica, Poland, BMW, 1:18.979, 20

7. Jarno Trulli, Italy, Toyota,1:19.026, 23

8. Timo Glock, Germany, Toyota, 1:19.118, 24

9. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Toro Rosso, 1:19.638, 21

10. Sebastien Bourdais, France, Toro Rosso, 1:20.167, 20