Problem for Rosberg?published at 07:06
Prior to going second fastest, Nico Rosberg had reported a concern with his Mercedes: "There's a problem with the engine when I pull out of the garage," he said over team radio.
Summary
Rosberg on pole, Hamilton 2nd, Bottas 3rd
Kvyat involved in dramatic crash at end of session
Hamilton fastest in Q1, Rosberg top in Q2
Qualifying reply on BBC One at 13:00 BST
Problem for Rosberg?published at 07:06
Postpublished at 07:05
Max Verstappen is the early pacesetter but not for long as Lewis Hamilton storms to the top of the timesheet with 1:33.595. Nico Rosberg slots into P2 soon after, three tenths of a second slower than his team-mate.
Postpublished at 07:04
Not just Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado on the hard tyres, 11 of the 14 drivers who have gone out so far are on that compound, the others on medium.
Postpublished at 07:02 British Summer Time 26 September 2015
Postpublished at 07:01 British Summer Time 26 September 2015
Tom Clarkson
BBC F1 pit-lane reporterQuote MessageTo get through to Q2 we are looking at 1:35.6. Romain Grosjean was ninth quickest this morning with that time.
First qualifying startspublished at 07:01
Off we go then. The first part of qualifying is under way. Lewis Hamilton has never been on pole at Suzuka, will he rectify today?
Postpublished at 06:57
Niki Lauda on the speculation over the future of both McLaren drivers: “I said to Jenson yesterday, fight your fight with Ron Dennis over money, because it is always the same. But then stay, because if you go, one of the last quick guys has gone. So I say to Ron: ‘Pay him the money’.
“What is the best combination to make the car go fast and develop the engine? It is those two guys. Put a young guy in the car and the engine does not go faster.
“In the end, Jenson and Ron are clever enough to get it together. Jenson said to me yesterday he wants to drive there and he doesn’t want to retire.”
Suzuka shots - 1990published at 06:56
From the archives
Image source, Getty ImagesAlmost time for qualifying so here's one final look back at past races at Suzuka.
Ayrton Senna secured the 1990 world championship after a first-corner collision with his title rival Alain Prost.
In the picture below, Prost follows Senna back to the pits, looking pretty calm, despite what the crash cost him.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 06:55 British Summer Time 26 September 2015
David Coulthard
BBC F1 co-commentatorQuote MessageJenson wants to race. He still has a lot to offer, but there are unanswered questions. I think McLaren have bigger issues that they have to sort out. It is difficult times right now for McLaren.
Postpublished at 06:55 British Summer Time 26 September 2015
A superb feature on Jenson Button on BBC One right now. Love his sense of humour. He was giving nothing away about his future, though.
“The stories haven't come from me [about retiring]," he said. "Last race I was disappointed and I said I haven't had the joy, which was true. Because I was so emotional, they took that as: 'Oh, he's going to retire this weekend.’”
Postpublished at 06:50
Image source, Getty ImagesJules Bianchi is not far from the thoughts of fans and teams this weekend, with Formula 1 back at Suzuka for the first time since the French driver's fatal crash at the circuit last year.
Postpublished at 06:46
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End of instagram postLooks like Fernando Alonso is ready for qualifying...
Postpublished at 06:45
A bit more from Lotus chief executive Matthew Carter in his interview earlier, and he says Renault’s buy-out of the team is close to being sealed.
"As far as I am aware, there is going to be a press release from Renault next week," he said.
Carter also expects the team’s court case over unpaid tax to be resolved.
Postpublished at 06:38 British Summer Time 26 September 2015
Hamilton's love of spontaneitypublished at 06:37
Lewis Hamilton loves travelling to Japan. In fact, he loves travelling in general. Here is an snippet from his latest column:
"I don't like routine. I like change and spontaneity. That's why I travel as much as I do.
"One of the best things about F1 is that every year you arrive and the car is different and you are studying something new every year. Then through the year it shifts as well.
"I love going to new hotels, meeting different people. I love that it's not the same every day."
Read it in full here.
Postpublished at 06:36 British Summer Time 26 September 2015
Postpublished at 06:34
Image source, EPAStill plenty of crazy hats on show as fans prepare for qualifying.
There's a bit too much duct tape on this one for my liking though - 7/10 for presentation, 10/10 for effort.
Postpublished at 06:30
Image source, Getty ImagesJust under 30 minutes to go before qualifying. Will Sebastian Vettel secure a fifth pole position?
If final practice is anything to by, it looks unlikely, but they may well have some pace in reserve.
Get involved #bbcf1published at 06:30 British Summer Time 26 September 2015
Postpublished at 06:25
Image source, BBC SportSome light at the end of the tunnel for Lotus?
The British-based constructor face an uncertain future amid mounting money problems and are in court for a third time on 28 September over an unpaid tax bill.
However, Lotus chief executive Matthew Carter tells BBC Sport's Suzi Perry that things are looking "positive" at the moment.