Jonathan Legard discusses Lewis Hamilton's dominating performance in Japan, as he smashes a lap record in qualifying. In fact their car is lightly better on the tyres so they can do the race slightly faster even though their car is slower (or at least their maximum speed is slower). Hamilton romps to record-breaking Japan pole Malaysia is a prime example. How Mercedes recovered from Malaysian GP 'disaster' So it’s not a “magical button in Q3” that boosts Mercedes to infinity and beyond, but it’s the tyres that hold them back during the race. Vettel looking forward to showing Ferrari's true pace Kimi Raikkonen's crash in final practice has forced Ferrari to change the gearbox in his car, meaning he will drop five places from wherever he qualifies in Japan. ESPN rounds up all the reaction from up and down the Suzuka paddock following qualifying for the 2017 Japanese Grand Prix. Formula One podiums just aren't the same without Daniel Ricciardo... Bottas understands Mercedes swap decision I’ve been saying this all along. Bottas tops final practice despite crashing out Sebastian Vettel is confident he can put polesitter and championship rival Lewis Hamilton under pressure at the Japanese Grand Prix having secured second on the grid. Vettel's fightback must start at Suzuka Although Honda were unable to score any points in their last race with McLaren, Stoffel Vandoorne’s best lap time gave them some cause for optimism, as he was just half a second slower than Bottas on the same tyre compound. Jennie Gow and Kevin Eason discuss Pierre Gasly's F1 debut and how he could cement his claim for a Toro Rosso seat with a strong showing in Japan. Sebastian Vettel set the fastest time in the opening practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix as Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull all looked competitive over a single lap. In Japan pole was 5.8 seconds faster. Verstappen: Hard to repeat Malaysia win in Japan Romain Grosjean was left perplexed as to what caused his big crash during qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix. ESPN's Jennie Gow and Kevin Eason discuss whether Mercedes can get back to fighting form at the Suzuka Circuit. Ferrari gives details of Malaysia failures Gasly has chance to shine in Japan Renault confirms Japan as Palmer's last race Remembering Jochen Rindt, 50 years on from his death at Monza, Ferrari has gone through the five stages of grief in 12 months, Report: Hamilton on brink of title with Japan win, Vettel retires, Story of the Race: Ferrari implodes again as Red Bull impresses, Driver reaction: Who said what after the 2017 Japanese GP, Ricciardo pranks Hamilton with Instagram takeover, Bottas understands Mercedes swap decision, Alonso given penalty points for blocking leaders, Lewis: I didn't want to let Max have another win, Verstappen doubts Hamilton pass was possible, Vettel keen to 'protect' Ferrari after Suzuka retirement, Driver reaction: Who said what after qualifying for the Japanese GP, How Mercedes recovered from Malaysian GP 'disaster', Renault confirms Japan as Palmer's last race, Gasly keeps STR seat for US GP, Kvyat returns, Red Bull splits aero setups between cars in Suzuka, Bottas: Beating Kimi in Q3 was key after penalties, Bottas tops final practice despite crashing out, Honda problems result in Alonso grid penalty at Suzuka, Hamilton romps to record-breaking Japan pole, Story of qualifying: Hamilton supreme as Mercedes returns to form in style, Raikkonen gets grid penalty for gearbox change, Vettel expects close fight with Hamilton in race, Vettel fastest in first practice at Suzuka, Driver reaction: Who said what after Friday practice for the Japanese GP, Hamilton: Mercedes performance 'back to normal' in Japan, Ferrari gives details of Malaysia failures, Vettel looking forward to showing Ferrari's true pace, Ricciardo calls for extra wet F1 tyres in 2018, Renault willing to delay Budkowski start date, Renault confirms controversial Budkowski signing, Button 'fell out of love' with motorsport in 2016, Vettel: No panic at Ferrari after engine failures, Hamilton: Ferrari upgrades yet to show true potential, Verstappen hopes Red Bull considers early 2018 car launch, Alonso: Red Bull win increases 2018 pressure for McLaren, Magnussen: F1 race stewards have no issue with my driving, Massa: Kubica, Di Resta tests won't be conclusive, Stats you need to know ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, Hamilton on brink of fourth world championship, Ricciardo and Verstappen try Kendo in Tokyo. More engine problems for Fernando Alonso sees him take yet more grid penalties, ruining his chances of a decent result in the Japanese Grand Prix. Japanese Grand Prix: Full coverage. F1 driver market: Mick Schumacher to Haas or Alfa Romeo? ... round of the 2017 Formula One championship. @addvariety, I’d say this mostly shows how limiting the tyres are for the overall race pace. Fernando Alonso was reprimanded and given two penalty points on his superlicence for holding up the leading drivers at the Japanese Grand Prix. Who was to blame for Mugello's Safety Car pile-up? Valtteri Bottas will receive a five-place grid penalty at the Japanese Grand Prix after Mercedes was forced to make an unscheduled gearbox change on his car.