UpdateF1 >> Formula 1 News > Hamilton takes last gasp pole

Mclaren front row at Fuji

Lewis Hamilton took pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix with a last gasp effort on the rain-hit qualifying session at Fuji.

He will start alongside fellow Mclaren driver Fernando Alonso, with the Ferraris of Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa on the second row.

Nick Heidfeld took fifth for BMW with Nico Rosberg a fine sixth in the Williams, although the latter will drop ten places thanks to an engine change leaving Jenson Button, the Englishman very much at home in the conditions, on row three in his Honda.

Row four sees Mark Webber in the Red Bull line up alongside Sebastian Vettel, the German taking a Toro Rosso car into the top ten for the first time this season, and the fifth row will consist of Robert Kubica in the second BMW, and Giancarlo Fisichella in the Renault, the Italian having the benefit of a ‘free’ fuel strategy.

The weather made a lottery of the qualifying session, and is likely to hit the race tomorrow according to forecasts, meaning that this race could be among the most unpredictable of the season.

Updatesport will bring you full coverage, reports and analysis – be sure to be here.

Written: Sat, 29 Sep 2007 06:12:18