Webber finally on pole

SUZUKA, Japan - Red Bull driver Mark Webber claimed pole position on Saturday for the Japanese Grand Prix, outqualifying his team mate and runaway championship leader Sebastian Vettel for the first time during the 2013 season.

Webber clocked a time of 1min30.975 seconds at the Suzuka circuit, edging Vettel, who was just under two-tenths of a second off the pace and had problems with his KERS power-boost system in qualifying.

UP TO ALONSO?

McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton was third fastest, followed by Lotus' Romain Grosjean and Ferrari's Felipe Massa.

Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso, who must finish no worse than eighth to prevent Vettel from securing the championships if the German wins Sunday, qualified in eighth.

Results from qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix :
Q3
1. Mark Webber (AUS/Red Bull-Renault) 1:30.915
2. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Red Bull-Renault) 1:31.089
3. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1:31.253
4. Romain Grosjean (FRA/Lotus-Renault) 1:31.365
5. Felipe Massa (BRA/Ferrari) 1:31.378
6. Nico Rosberg (GER/Mercedes) 1:31.397
7. Nico Hlkenberg (GER/Sauber-Ferrari) 1:31.644
8. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Ferrari) 1:31.665
9. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Lotus-Renault) 1:31.684
10. Jenson Button (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes) 1:31.827

Eliminated in Q2:
11. Sergio Perez (MEX/McLaren-Mercedes)
12. Paul di Resta (GBR/Force India-Mercedes)
13. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Williams-Renault)
14. Esteban Gutierrez (MEX/Sauber-Ferrari)
15. Pastor Maldonado (VEN/Williams-Renault)
16. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Toro Rosso-Ferrari)

Eliminated in Q1:
17. Adrian Sutil (GER/Force India-Mercedes)
18. Jean-Eric Vergne (FRA/Toro Rosso-Ferrari)
19. Max Chilton (GBR/Marussia-Cosworth)
20. Charles Pic (FRA/Caterham-Renault)
21. Giedo van der Garde (NED/Caterham-Renault)
22. Jules Bianchi (FRA/Marussia-Cosworth)