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Hamilton takes Valencia pole
22 August 2009
Lewis Hamilton took his first pole position of the 2009 season, as McLaren dominated the front row for the European Grand Prix at Valencia.
The Briton, who took the pole with his first attempt in Q3, was only ever threatened by his team-mate Heikki Kovalainen, who could have taken a second career pole for himself but for a mistake in the final sector of his best lap.
Rubens Barrichello will start third on the grid in the best of the Brawns, having used just one set of tyres in Q3.
Sebastian Vettel took a surprising fourth to split the Brawns, having not looked likely to do so for much of the weekend. The German, who suffered a major engine failure in the morning practice session, outpaced his title rival Button.
Luca Badoer, subbing for Felipe Massa at Ferrari, ended up last, two seconds behind team-mate Kimi Raikkonen.
Qualifying times:
1 Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes) 1:38.649
2 Kovalainen (McLaren-Mercedes) 1:38.816
3 Barrichello (Brawn-Mercedes) 1:39.019
4 Vettel (Red Bull-Renault) 1:39.295
5 Button (Brawn-Mercedes) 1:38.531
6 Raikkonen (Ferrari) 1:38.843
7 Rosberg (Williams-Toyota) 1:39.039
8 Alonso (Renault) 1:39.155
9 Webber (Red Bull-Renault) 1:38.983
10 Kubica (BMW-Sauber) 1:38.806
11 Heidfeld (BMW-Sauber) 1:39.032
12 Sutil (Force India-Mercedes) 1:39.145
13 Glock (Toyota) 1:39.459
14 Grosjean (Renault) 1:39.322
15 Buemi (Toro Rosso-Ferrari) 1:38.912
16 Fisichella (Force India-Mercedes) 1:39.531
17 Nakajima (Williams-Toyota) 1:39.795
18 Trulli (Toyota) 1:39.807
19 Alguersuari (Toro Rosso-Ferrari) 1:39.925
20 Badoer (Ferrari) 1:41.413
All timing unofficial
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