In qualifying, Lewis Hamilton took his second consecutive pole position, also his first pole at the Suzuka Circuit. His teammate Valtteri Bottas qualified second, but with a five-place grid penalty for changing his gearbox too early, he was pushed down to sixth on the grid, promoting Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo to second and third respectively.
In the race, Hamilton went into the first corner still keeping the lead over Vettel. However, Vettel's spark plug began to fail, and he was forced to retire after completing four laps. Hamilton took his sixty-first victory, putting him fifty-nine points ahead of Vettel in the championship. Max Verstappen, who got ahead of Ricciardo at the start, finished in second place while Ricciardo remained in third place.
* Bottas was given a five-place grid penalty for an unscheduled gearbox change.[6]
† Räikkönen was given a five-place grid penalty for an unscheduled gearbox change.[7]
‡ Alonso was given a 35-place grid penalty for using his eighth internal combustion engine, tenth turbo, tenth MGU-H, eighth MGU-K, seventh battery store and sixth control electronics unit.[8]
§ Palmer was given a twenty-place grid penalty for using his fifth internal combustion engine, sixth turbocharger and sixth MGU-H.[8]
** Sainz was given a twenty-place grid penalty for using his sixth MGU-H, fifth internal combustion engine and fifth turbo.[9]
* Bottas was given a five-place grid penalty for an unscheduled gearbox change.[6]
† Räikkönen was given a five-place grid penalty for an unscheduled gearbox change.[7]
‡ Palmer was given a twenty-place grid penalty for using his fifth internal combustion engine, sixth turbocharger and sixth MGU-H.[8]
§ Sainz was given a twenty-place grid penalty for using his sixth MGU-H, fifth internal combustion engine and fifth turbo.[9]
** Alonso was given a 35-place grid penalty for using his eighth internal combustion engine, tenth turbo, tenth MGU-H, eighth MGU-K, seventh battery store and sixth control electronics unit.[8]
Lewis Hamilton won his 10th pole of the season and 71st of his career, extending his own record for career poles. It is also his first pole at the Suzuka Circuit.