MERCEDES LEFT FERRARI in their wake at Suzuka as a dominant Lewis Hamilton claimed pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix.
Although the Briton extended his lead over Sebastian Vettel in the drivers’ standings to 34 points in Malaysia last time out, Hamilton expressed concerns regarding the performance of his car at Sepang.
However, Hamilton had nothing to worry about on Saturday as he smashed the circuit record in Q2 and Q3, ultimately topping the timesheets with a blistering time of one minute and 27.319 seconds.
“It’s been a really good day – every lap was fantastic,” Hamilton told Jenson Button after securing his first pole at Suzuka.
Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas (+0.332secs) beat Vettel (+0.472s) to second, although the Finn will serve a five-place grid penalty due to a gearbox change. As a result, Vettel will start alongside Hamilton on the front row.
Kimi Raikkonen also faces a five-place penalty, after a crash in FP3 necessitated a gearbox change for the veteran. Raikkonen was only able to post the sixth-fastest time on Saturday, behind the Red Bulls of Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen.
In addition, there will be penalties for Fernando Alonso (35 places), Jolyon Palmer (20 places) and Carlos Sainz (20 places).
Q1 was red-flagged with just over a minute remaining when Romain Grosjean suffered a nasty shunt that he was thankfully able to walk away from. The Frenchman was forced to battle huge oversteer at successive corners before he lost control of his Haas and thundered into a tyre wall.
Pascal Wehrlein, Marcus Ericsson, Lance Stroll and Pierre Gasly joined Grosjean in bowing out after the opening session, while Q2 saw Sainz, Palmer, Kevin Magnussen, Nico Hulkenberg and Stoffel Vandoorne fail to make the cut.
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For all that was said about Kildare doing well under McGeaney, I feel they underachieved considerably. Way too much hype with no end product and no silverware to show for it either.
If Kildare actually played good football instead of talking how good they are and the LEGENDS that are on the team they may have some hope
Dublin-Meath games always have the potential to be crackers. Its my favourite rivilary in the GAA, I think allot of teams(weaker counties)are beaten by Dublin before a ball is kicked, Meath will not fear them and id say they will give them a good game.That said I’d say the Dubs will still win by 4 or 5 points.
Going to order a ticket for this one and as a neutral im hoping for a good old fashioned Meath v Dublin battle.
Meath are up against it obviously but we’ve already got a chance, as I said above we’re going to need goals, and a lot of them. Dublins squad is so strong it’s hard to see us matching them for 70 mins, but if we can pressure their kicks like we did last year, and with Paddy O’Rourke booming balls onto their 50 yard line with his own we should win most of that ball, it’ll give us a chance at least
Dublin would want to wake up from their first half slumber. Two games in a row now and won’t get away so lightly against better opposition.
Yesterday the wrong option was selected a lot of the time in the first half. Take the easy points lads.
Cormac Costello is a class act,
Up the dubs.
Beat two teams by cricket scores and still not happy. Typical Dub supporter. You dont know how good you have it!
A ridiculous comment. These are the best days to be a Dublin supporter that I can remember for a long time.
First half in both games so far the finishing was poor. If they play like that against Meath they’ll be punished.
From someone who played GAA
Everyone is talking of how far they are ahead of every team in Leinster, Meath are not that far behind in talent considering Dublin have far more money and better sponsorship deals. It’s great to see Dublin do so well and as a Meath man we are going to catch them.
What has money got to do with it? They can’t buy players or pay them
The 7 point differential in last years Leinster final begs to differ! Meath wilted badly in the 2nd half yesterday and there was an abundance of poor wides from both them and Kildare
Dublin really should have too much for us tbh but you can see what Mick O’Dowd is trying to do. At every opportunity yesterday, Meath drove straight for goal…this has been in preparation for a crack at Dublin. O’Dowd knows that if Meath are going to have any chance we’ll have to create and take every goal opportunity that we can. Now we didn’t take the chances yesterday, but they were created none the less.
The last time Meath beat Dublin was in 2010, our forwards were on fire and we banged in 5 goals. Without doubt this will be the idea again.
Money has a lot to do with it = better training facilities and a lot more.
Hon the royals!
Haven’t missed a match so far this year . Meath getting stronger no doubt . Dublin didn’t get out of 2nd gear till mid way through the 2nd half . Attendance was ok but I’m sure i won’t get a ticket come final . Typical :( COYBIB
Darren you can buy tickets for the final at Super value stores or go online and get them through tickets.ie.
Who only charge €1 for postage and no booking fee unlike ticket master.
You should have got a season ticket. If my county were possible All Ireland candidates id get on.
It is great to see Dublin and Meath go head to head in the final. https://twitter.com/DeclanJCarr/status/483245084226621441/photo/1