Hamilton storms to 80th pole in Japan, Vettel eighth

Lewis Hamilton celebrates pole position for the Japanese GP ahead of Valtteri Bottas (left) and Max Verstappen. Photograph: Toru Hanai/Reuters

Formula One leader Lewis Hamilton seized a record-extending 80th pole position at the Japanese Grand Prix on Saturday, timing his sole flying lap to perfection while Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel will start eighth.

The Mercedes driver, in dominant form all weekend at the Suzuka circuit, pumped in a one minute 27.760 second lap on the super-soft tyres while it was still only just spitting with rain.