Hamilton on pole in Japan

Lewis Hamilton struck the first blow in the fight for the world championship title as the McLaren driver produced a stunning last lap to snatch pole position away from team-mate Fernando Alonso for tomorrow’s Japanese Grand Prix.

Hamilton’s time of 1 minute 25.368 seconds around a damp Fuji Speedway edged out closest rival Alonso by just seven one hundredths of a second to hand the 22-year-old a decisive advantage for the 67-lap race.