Hamilton takes pole ahead of Kubica

F1 Grand Prix, GP Australia, Albert Park

Lewis Hamilton has confirmed McLaren's winter pace on short runs as he saved his first pole of the season. Robert Kubica is just behind even with a slight mistake. Kovalainen 3rd, followed by Massa. Raikkonen had to abandon with gearbox problems and will by 15th on the grid.

Welcome to the first qualifying session of the year. After 3 free practice sessions with all very different results and weather conditions, qualifying will mark the first real display of performance of the 2008 contenders.

Qualifying remains unchanged from last year, except for shortening the final session by 5 minutes and allowing the drivers to choose any amount of fuel in that part, contrary to starting with the amount of fuel for the race.

Q1 is engaged by Toro Rosso but other teams quickly follow to inspect the circuit. They set the early pace with Honda and Super Aguri but are quickly surpassed by Alonso, Webber and Trulli. As later on everyone gives it a go Kovalainen comes out on top, ahead of Heidfeld, Kubica and Massa.

There are immediate disappointments for both Super Aguri drivers, both Force India's, Bourdais and Nelson Piquet. Kimi Raikkonen managed to post the 5th time but re-entered the pitlane slowly just before the end of the session with an apparent gear selection problem. 5 minutes later the World Champion is out of his car and is not allowed to take part in this qualifying any further.

In Q2, Vettel is again the first man out on track, but it is Webber who takes all the focus as he appears to suffer a braking problem and goes off the circuit into the gravel trap. While initiating braking, lots of brake dust exited from right front wheel and obviously hampered braking power. The session was immediately stopped until the car is removed from the circuit.

As soon as the session is restarted, BMW show their form and are faster than the remaining Ferrari. Few minutes later, Hamilton tops that with just 0.2 seconds. By that time, Kovalainen is also in the safe zone in 3rd place. All others behind Massa are out again. Vettel manages to put himself in 6th, followed by Rosberg, Coulthard and both Toyota's. Alonso is out, together with Button, Barrichello, Nakajima and the unfortunates, Webber and Raikkonen.

Q3 is now a 10 minute session and Vettel is again the first to try it out. Rosberg is however the first to record a timed lap but is topped largely by Heidfeld with a lap in 1:27.821. After a first string of flying laps, Hamilton leads the pack, ahead of Massa, Kovalainen, Heidfeld and Trulli.

Hamilton even improves and confirms his first pole of the year, ahead of Kubica who may have had a go at the pole had he not gone slightly wide in turn 12. Kovalainen is third, Massa fourth.