Nico Rosberg has suggested that Mercedes are looking stronger at the Japanese Grand Prix after the team locked out the front row.

The German beat teammate Lewis Hamilton to pole position as he tries to reduce the gap at the top of the Drivers' Championship.

Rosberg was quick to pay tribute to his engineers, but also spoke of his relief after Daniil Kvyat walked away from a spectacular crash, which saw the Russian roll his car over during qualifying.

He told reporters: "It was difficult to set up the car here for the dry conditions, because we had the two wet sessions yesterday. But when we were able to practise some high fuel and qualifying runs, today I got a really good feeling.

"I nailed my laps and I was already on another good quick lap when Dani hit the wall. Then the team informed me that he is fine so we were all very happy to hear that.

"I'm confident for tomorrow. Thanks to the team for this car, It seems that we are coming back stronger here than in Singapore."

Rosberg has not won a race since the Austrian Grand Prix in June.