Mechanics work on the car of Red Bull-Renault driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany in the pit during the third practice session of the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka circuit. (AFP photo/Jung Yeon-Je)
Vettel, a two-time winner in Japan, secured his fourth consecutive pole at Suzuka and will be in a good position in Sunday's race
to further erode the championship lead of Ferrari's Fernando Alonso.
Red Bull's championship rivals will all start the race several places back after a yellow caution flag in the final moments of qualifying prevented them getting in a flying lap.
McLaren driver Jenson Button qualified third but will start eighth due to a gearbox replacement penalty.
Alonso was seventh while Mercedes-bound Lewis Hamilton of McLaren was ninth and Lotus' Kimi Raikkonen tenth.