SINGAPORE: Lewis Hamilton edged his Mercedes team-mate on his final flying lap to secure pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix on Saturday, the Briton crossing the line just 0.007 seconds ahead of the German.

Hamilton, who trails Rosberg by 22 points with six races remaining, lapped the 23-turn Marina Bay Street Circuit in one minute 45.681 seconds after his team-mate had crossed the line in 1:45.688.

It was the sixth pole of the season for the 29-year-old and it will be a critical one on a tight and twisty Marina Bay circuit which provides few passing opportunities.

Rosberg’s reaction was pithy, but understandable when he was given the news on team radio: “Dammit!

Daniel Ricciardo was third fastest in 1:45.854 as Red Bull locked up the second row with the Australian’s team mate and three-time winner in Singapore Sebastian Vettel clocking 1:45.902 to claim fourth on the grid.

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso was fifth, just ahead of Felipe Massa’s Williams.

Kimi Raikkonen’s Ferrari had engine trouble on the final flying lap and he had to park the car out on circuit, but still qualified seventh, ahead of Valtteri Bottas of Williams.

The top eight cars were separated by just half a second — a remarkably small margin on what is one of the longest circuits on the F1 calendar.

“That was one of the most exciting qualifying sessions I have had for a long time, where there are a lot of people in the mix and you have to be spot on,” Hamilton said. “It will be a good race to watch for the fans tomorrow, there will be a lot going on.”

Published in Dawn, September 21st , 2014