Q3 demonstrated Mercedes "best in the world" - Hamilton

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton believes his side showed that they're "the best in the world" following their dominant qualifying session in Suzuka.

Hamilton secured the 80th pole position of his career in Japan following an unpredictable Q3 session, where teams were struggling with their tyre choice because of the ever-changing conditions on the track.

This was ultimately Ferrari's downfall, as they ran with intermediates at the start meaning Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen weren't out on track when it was its driest.

Vettel struggled all of the session and could only manage to qualify in ninth on the grid.

Hamilton was buzzing that the Silver Arrows were once again able to dominate and get things right on a very tricky afternoon for judgement.

"It is so difficult out there to make the right call, and that is another real big difference that we as a team have made this year," Hamilton explained to Motorsport. "Every team has smart people but ultimately when it comes to being under pressure in making the right decisions and the right calls, that is why we are the best team in the world and rightly so - they are the best in the world."

The world champion and current leader of the world championship will be looking to put Vettel completely out of his sight when the race starts tomorrow morning.