Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton grabbed his first pole position of the year on Saturday when he led a McLaren 1-2 in qualifying for the European Grand Prix.
Briton Lewis was second in the first two qualifying sessions but topped the third and final session ahead of Finnish teammate Heikki Kovalainen, who will start second on the grid in tomorrow’s race, the 11th race of the 17-leg championship.
Brazilian Rubens Barrichello was third fastest for Brawn GP ahead of German Sebastian Vettel and championship leader, Jenson Button of Britain, in the second Brawn.
Finn Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari was sixth, German Nico Rosberg was seventh for Williams and two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Spain was eighth in a Renault.
Australian Mark Webber, who is challenging Button in the title race, was ninth for Red Bull and Pole Robert Kubica was 10th for BMW Sauber.
It was Hamilton’s 14th pole and his first since the Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai last year.
Hamilton secured his prime starting spot with his early fastest lap and survived the chaos of the final dramas when his rivals all attempted faster laps.