German driver will start the race alongside his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton
Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg of Germany waves after setting the pole position in the qualifying session at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Belgium (Photo: AP)
Spa-Francorchamps: Formula One leader Nico Rosberg swept to pole position at the Belgian Grand Prix on Saturday with Mercedes team mate and title rival Lewis Hamilton alongside on the front row after a wet qualifying session.
Red Bull’s four-times world champion Sebastian Vettel, last year’s winner at the circuit in the Ardennes forests, qualified in third place and was joined on the second row by Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso.
Rosberg leads 2008 world champion Hamilton by 11 points after 11 of 19 races. The pole was Rosberg’s seventh of the season, with dominant Mercedes taking 11 of the 12 so far, fourth in a row and 11th of his Formula One career.
It was also his first at Spa in typically tricky conditions and reinforced his team’s pace, with Rosberg’s pole time of two minutes 05.591 seconds comparing to Vettel’s best lap of 2:07.717 - a hefty margin.
“It’s awesome. This is one of the most special tracks of the year so to be in front here is great,” said the German. “It’s always difficult on this track in the wet. “We have a great car here. We are leading the way. We definitely have a really good chance.”
( Source : AFP )
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