Webber claims a first pole in rainy German GP qualifier (Roundup)

By Claas Hennig Jul 11, 2009, 13:40 GMT

   Nuerburg, Germany - Mark Webber claimed his first career pole position on Saturday as rain at times played havoc with qualifying for the German Formula One Grand Prix.

   The Australian driver for the Red Bull team held off the Brawn GP duo of Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button as well as his teammate Sebastian Vettel.

Rain affected especially the second qualifying stage in which the championship leader Button barely advanced to the final stint while ex-champion Fernando Alonso spun around on a partly wet track and failed to make the final round.

'It is a very special day. I have been close a few times,' said Webber, who made a quick recovery ahead of the season from a leg fracture.

   The Aussie clocked 1 minute 32.230 seconds for the 5.148 kilometres lap on the Nuerburgring. Barrichello had 1:32.357, Button 1:32.473 and Vettel 1:32.480 minutes.

The weather provided a true test for the teams and there were huge gaps as the conditions changed almost by the minute, making the right tyre choice extremely difficult.

'We got really tested. It was very chaotic. The track looked dry but the slicks wouldn't take it,' said Webber.

Barrichello, who impressed with a stunning lap in the second round, said: 'It is nice to have the right tyres at the right moment.'

Button agreed: 'That (second) session was madness. We were struggling with the tyres and if you throw a bucket of water on to the track it is chaotic.'

Similar weather is expected for Sunday's race over 60 laps into which Button leads the championship with 64 points from eight races ahead of Barrichello (41), Vettel (39) and Webber (35.5).

The man who wants victory most is Vettel as the German GP is his home race.

The 22-year-old is coming off his second season win at the British Grand Prix three weeks ago, but qualifying did not go his way after pole in the past two races.

'I lost some time in the final lap. I had hoped for more,' said Vettel. 'We have nothing to lose tomorrow. Let's wait and see whether it is dry or wet.'

The six-time season winner Button will hope to do better than a season-worst sixth at Silverstone in what promises another big duel between the Red Bulls and Brawns.

'Weather looks similar to today so it's a little bit of luck, but also looking at what everyone else is doing and trying to make the best out of the situation,' Button said.

Compatriot world champion Lewis Hamilton placed fifth in a rare sign of life for the battered McLaren-Mercedes team, and expressed his hope that what appears to be an improved car will also do well on Sunday.

'We won't take it for granted but we're going to enjoy it. The guys have worked so hard and it's so much better. It's a great result for us,' said Hamilton.

I think it's going to rain tomorrow - I would just really like to get the points for the team.'