Hamilton claims pole for Chinese Grand Prix

Oct 6, 2007, 12:24 GMT

British Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton (C) of McLaren Mercedes, Finnish Kimi Raikkonen (L) and Brazilian Felipe Massa (R) both of Ferrari attend a press conference after the qualifying session at the Shanghai International Circuit near Shanghai, China, 06 October 2007. The Chinese Formula One Grand Prix will take place here 07 October 2007. EPA/KERIM OKTEN

Shanghai - Britain's Lewis Hamilton in a McLaren-Mercedes edged Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen to take pole position Saturday for Sunday's Chinese Formula One Grand Prix in Shanghai.

Ferrari's Felipe Massa of Brazil clinched third place ahead of defending champion Fernando Alonso of Spain in a McLaren.

It was the sixth pole of the season for overall leader Hamilton, who takes a 12-point lead into the penultimate race of the season.

Victory in China would give Hamilton the drivers' title in his debut season.

Hamilton saved his best lap for last, clocking 1 minute 35.908 seconds in final qualifying, with Finland's Raikkonen - who had dominated the previous training sessions - on 1:36.044, Massa on 1:36.221 and Alonso on 1:36.576.

Rain is forecast for Sunday's race, making pole position all the more important for Hamilton, who won is atrocuous conditions last weekend in Fuji, Japan.

'I'm not particulary bothered whether it's wet or dry. The experience in Fuji gives me a lot of confidence,' Hamilton said.

'We are in the best posiiton to start the race. I am really optimistic about it. I want to win, do a good job for the team and if I do that it might be a good day for us.'

Hamilton, 22, leads the standings on 107 points, while Alonso has 95, Raikkonen 90 and 80.

Victory on Sunday would give make Hamilton the youngest driver in Formula One history and the first to win the championship in his maiden season.

Hamilton said it had been an emotional week after he was investigated by the world motorsport federation FIA for an alleged infringement during a safety car phase in last weekend's victory in Fuji.

'Yesterday was a tough day of testing with that in the back of your mind, nor knowing whether you are going to get your points taken away,' he said.

'We came here today not really having the pace. I am absolutely thrilled to get the pole position because in the qualifying I didnt have the pace of Alonso.'

Raikkonen said he was satisfied with second place, adding he did not think conditions would be as bad as in Fuji even if it rained on Sunday.

However, Massa said: 'Let's see what happens tomorrow with the weather forecast. If it rains it is going to be a lottery.'

Britain's David Coulthard in a Red Bull and Ralf Schumacher of Germany in a Toyota were on the third row, with Mark Webber of Australia in a Red Bull and Nick Heidfeld of Germany in a BMW-Sauber next in line in row four.

The top ten places were completed by Robert Kubica of Poland in a BMW-Sauber and Jenson Button of Britain in a Hinda.