GP – Qualification: An unprecedented session led by Kovalainen

Heikki Kovalainen achieved his first pole position in Formula 1, which will be at the 2008 British Grand Prix.

The McLaren driver beat the surprising Mark Webber of Red Bull Racing as the Australian will also be on the front row. Kovalainen’s teammate, Lewis Hamilton is only in fourth position behind Kimi Räikkönen’s Ferrari.

During the first run in Q3, Kovalainen’s time was beaten by Webber, Räikkönen, and Hamilton, but the Finn responded with a 1’21”049 to reclaim pole position.

Behind him is Marc Webber. It is his best qualifying position with the Renault-powered team.

Hamilton went off the track at Priory during his first run in Q3 and was then nearly 0.8 seconds slower than Kovalainen on his second attempt.

The current championship leader, Felipe Massa, also struggled during qualifying, with a mistake in Q3 leaving him only ninth on the grid.

Nick Heidfeld surpassed his teammate Robert Kubica in qualifying for the first time by taking fifth place. The Polish driver did not participate in Q3 as he couldn’t get out of the pits for his first run due to what is likely a puncture. He will start the race in 10th position.

Both Renaults participated in Q3, as Fernando Alonso and Nelson Piquet are sixth and seventh, respectively.

Sebastian Vettel continued his string of strong performances by qualifying for the last phase of qualifying for the second time this season. The Toro Rosso driver benefited from the difficulties of Massa and Kubica to take eighth place, five positions ahead of his teammate Sébastien Bourdais.

David Coulthard finishes just outside the top ten in his last British Grand Prix. The two Toyotas also participated in Q2. Timo Glock is ahead of Jarno Trulli for the second time this year. They sandwich Bourdais as they are 12th and 14th respectively.

A brief shower disrupted Q1, but Bourdais was able to improve his time as the track dried, securing his spot in Q2. However, the Hondas of Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button were unable to do the same. The cars will be in the 16th and 17th positions on the grid, respectively. It’s the third time in as many seasons that Button has been stuck at this stage of qualifying for his home Grand Prix.

A suspension problem prevented Nico Rosberg from going back out after the rain to defend his chances. He is only 18th on the grid. His teammate, Kazuki Nakajima, was slightly faster to take 15th place.

The Force India drivers are once again at the back of the grid with Adrian Sutil ahead of Giancarlo Fisichella.