Lewis Hamilton has continued McLaren’s mid-season revival by snatching pole position for Sunday’s European Grand Prix.
The world champion battled through the humid and dusty conditions of the Valencia Street Circuit to top the final section of qualifying – demonstrating Mclaren’s stunning pace.
Pole position might have gone to Hamilton’s team-mate, Heikki Kovalainen. The Finn was all set to pip Hamilton until he made an error into the last corner of his final qualifying lap. However Kovalainen’s pace was good enough to secure an all-McLaren front row.
Brawn continued to show good pace with third on the grid for Rubens Barrichello, with Jenson Button in fifth.
Button’s nearest title rival, Mark Webber, struggled in his Red Bull and could only manage ninth.
Pos Driver Team Q1 Q2 Q3 1. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:38.649 1:38.182 1:39.498 2. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes 1:38.816 1:38.230 1:39.532 3. Barrichello Brawn-Mercedes 1:39.019 1:38.076 1:39.563 4. Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1:39.295 1:38.273 1:39.789 5. Button Brawn-Mercedes 1:38.531 1:38.601 1:39.821 6. Raikkonen Ferrari 1:38.843 1:38.782 1:40.144 7. Rosberg Williams-Toyota 1:39.039 1:38.346 1:40.185 8. Alonso Renault 1:39.155 1:38.717 1:40.236 9. Webber Red Bull-Renault 1:38.983 1:38.625 1:40.239 10. Kubica BMW-Sauber 1:38.806 1:38.747 1:40.512 11. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber 1:39.032 1:38.826 12. Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:39.145 1:38.846 13. Glock Toyota 1:39.459 1:38.991 14. Grosjean Renault 1:39.322 1:39.040 15. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:38.912 1:39.514 16. Fisichella Force India-Mercedes 1:39.531 17. Nakajima Williams-Toyota 1:39.795 18. Trulli Toyota 1:39.807 19. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:39.925 20. Badoer Ferrari 1:41.413
