Hamilton secures Singapore pole

F1 Grand Prix, GP Singapore, Marina Bay Street Circuit

Lewis Hamilton has dominated the nightly qualifying session at Singapore but was aided by Rubens Barrichello to secure pole. The Brazilian crashed out before the final attempts, making the positions be the final grid.

Qualifying at Singapore is likely to be a close fight after the marginal differences between the cars in the free practice sessions. The session kicks off with Grosjean and Alguersuari. The Renault driver is struggling in this twisty circuit and goess of the track on his first attempt, without any damage to the car though. He is complaining about a brake problem.

The quickest drivers are also quickly out on track with most apparently aiming at completing several laps to make sure they get through to the second part of the session.

Hamilton easily emerges on top after having changed chassis overnight. He was already fastest in the third free practice. One minute from the end, Raikkonen puts his car in second place, followed by Heidfeld who is only a little bit slower.

The Brawns are also both back on track in the final minutes for much needed time improvements. Button is the first to cross the line and set the second fastest time, Barrichello 6th fastest. Glock is 15th and only just managed to get through, while Adrian Sutil failed to improve from 16th. Also out are Alguersuari, Fisichella, Grosjean and Liuzzi.

The difference between the first 15 after Q1 is only 0.7 seconds.

Q2 is again very busy from the beginning, with again al driver opting for the softer tyre compound. Halfway through the session, Rosberg puts in a 1:46.197, the fastest time yet.

2 minutes later Fernando Alonso is on track, the only man not having set at time yet. The Spaniard is fighting hard with his Renault, now without ING or Mutua Madrileña sponsorship. After setting the fastest first sector, he ends up with the 5h fastest time.

With only 2 minutes to go, the Brawns and Raikkonen are in the danger zone and will have to improve in order to get through. Raikkonen fails in his attempt and is out. Neither of the Brawns improve on their first attempt.

On a continued lap on the same tyres, Barrichello improves to 6th but Button out is and will have to start tomorrow's race in 12th place. Along with the championship leader are Nakajima, Raikkonen, Buemi, Trulli.

After a short break, Rosberg takes the track as soon as the lights go green in the pitlane. It is however Lewis Hamilton who sets the fastest lap before the drivers come in for a new set of tyres and another few attempts.

Sebastian Vettel is currently second, ahead of Rosberg, Webber, Alonso and Glock. That is also the final grid as Rubens Barrichello crashed off the circuit, breaking the left front suspension and causing a red flag with only 0:26 seconds left in the sessions.