Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso dispute the Formula One world title at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Michael Schumacher was thankful for the Toyota buffer that stands between his second place on the grid and Fernando Alonso down in fifth. Schumacher had been set to start from pole until the final moments of qualifying when he was pipped by team mate Felipe Massa.

Felipe Massa insisted that his pole position wouldn't be a major hinderance to Ferrari team mate Michael Schumacher's chances of winning the race. The Brazilian stole pole position in the final moments of qualifying at Suzuka. Last time he beat Schumacher to pole in Turkey, the German had a disappointing race, while Massa went on to win.

Japanese GP - Saturday Photos

There are some advantages in speaking a minority language - the main one being that only a small number of people understand when you say rude things about someone else. In Formula 1 Dutch is not spoken much - although the small contingent of Dutchmen and women in F1 seem to use the language rather a lot.

David Coulthard has expressed his frustration at RBR's drop in form this year.

Japan GP Saturday in Words, Stats and Pictures

Brno: Saturday Quotes

Raikkonen and de la Rosa both failed to crack top-10 in Japanese GP qualifying.

Felipe Massa has done his bit to support Ferrari’s championship challenge by taking his second career pole in Japan.

Fernando Alonso says he doesn’t expect to be able to challenge the Ferraris in the Japanese GP, unless the race tire performance swings in Michelin’s favor.