Brendon Hartley says he felt "emotional" after securing a career-best qualifying position of sixth for the Japanese Grand Prix off the back of "months of crap."
With mixed conditions on the Suzuka circuit challenging the drivers throughout all three sessions of qualifying, the New-Zealander was able to put in a solid performance to start Sunday's race from the third row for Toro Rosso.
Hartley believes he has been constantly improving all-season long was 'very happy' to get such a result on what he said was a 'real driver's track'.
"Honestly, that felt awesome," said Hartley. "It was quite emotional on the in lap, which is not something that normally happens to me, but it was just all the build-up of crap over the last six months and knowing that I've got better and better, but haven't always had the chance to show it or things haven't gone my way.
"Strategy in races haven't been in my favour if I've been the tailing car, or missing out in qualifying to Pierre by half a tenth, one-tenth, whatever it was.
"Today felt good. It was high pressure. The track was tricky, my first time in Suzuka on what is a real driver's track. Really proud of the qualifying session and also for Honda, grateful for the PU update.
"Toro Rosso's strategy put us on the track at the right time, fine-tuning the car so it was in a place where I was really happy with it. Really stoked to start P6. Obviously, it's only half the job, but I'm going to try and enjoy it for a small moment.
"There's been a build-up of frustration over the last few months as I've got better and better, and I have been strong. There are things that have happened behind the scenes that I could always talk about or reasons that things haven't gone my way.
"Today it came together. I'm very happy."
Handing credit to Honda
Hartley thanked the Japanese manufacturer for their efforts with the new power unit, believing making Q3 would not have been possible without the new-found speed found within the package.
Power unit supplier Honda had also brought the new, more powerful Spec-3 engine to their home race after trying it out at the last round in Sochi during first practice.
While he may think the gain in the power unit is not worth 0.5s as it has been quoted elsewhere, securing a solid result for the engine manufacturer on home soil was a 'special' moment for them and the fans.
"We have a big thank you to say to Honda," added the Kiwi. "There's no question mark that brought performance today, and it will in the race tomorrow.
"The exact number, I don't know. A lot of media outlets have been quoting half a second, I don't know if that's true or not. In any case, I don't think we would be fighting for Q3 without the update.
"We've just been hanging off the back of Q3 for a while now, apart from Budapest in mixed conditions. The midfield battle is so tight that any gain Honda could give us is very valuable, and that proved itself today.
"To deliver in front of all the Honda and Japanese fans was pretty special. I know it's only half the job, but I'm sure we made a lot of people happy today with that performance.
"Obviously now we'll work hard tonight and get the best out of it tomorrow. The start's going to be important, the first lap. I've had a few shocking ones this year, not always been in my control.
"So got to nail that and it's a tricky track to pass on, so if we get the strategy right, I see no reason why we can't finish both cars in the top 10 and hopefully they're nice to me and give me a slightly favourable strategy over the other cars, unlike some other races."
