Lewis Hamilton compared driving his Mercedes Formula One car to riding the "craziest rollercoaster" after storming to pole position at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Campionship leader Hamilton shattered Michael Schumacher's lap record around Suzuka -- set during Q2 in 2006 -- by 1.365s to claim his 71st career pole and his first at the Japanese circuit.
The Briton broke the circuit lap record three times in a dominant qualifying display, as he topped each of the three sessions before setting his fastest lap, a 1:27.319s, on his final flying effort in Q3.
"It's incredible to come here with this car, this car has been one of the greatest, if not the greatest," Hamilton said.