Malaysian Grand Prix Qualifying: Hamilton grabs pole for Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton takes pole in Malaysia in heavy rain

Lewis Hamilton has secured his second pole position in two outings for Mercedes at the Malaysian Grand Prix – equaling Jim Clark’s record of 33 poles – as rain turned the Sepang track in to a lake. And with drivers quickly going on to full wets – and cars flying off the track as the rain took control of the qualifying sessions – the playing field was levelled, allowing Red Bull’s reigning World Champion, Sebastian Vettel, to almost pip Hamilton to pole, taking second place just 0.055s behind the Brit.

Behind Vettel is the winner of the opening Australian Grand Prix, Nico Rosberg, in the second Mercedes, followed by the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso and the Red Bull of new boy Daniel Ricciardo – who was so impressive in Asutrali two weeks ago – taking fifth spot.

Behind the top five, Kimi Raikkonen managed to put his Ferrari in sixth spot followed by Nico Hulkenberg in the Force India.

McLaren’s new boy – Kevin Magnussen – who performed so well in Australia could only manage 8th spot, but that was better than team mate Jenson Button who ending tenth on the grid after running on intermediates for the whole of the last session. The McLarens are split by Toro Rosso’s Jean-Eric Verne in ninth.

And despite a decent showing in Australia – and much promise of results from their new Mercedes power – the Williams cars seem to have been stumped by the conditions in KL, finishing in 13th and 15th spot.

But all of the qualifying positions will count for little if the race itself is dry tomorrow.

By Cars UK