Webber grabs Malaysia GP pole; Ferrari, McLaren stopped by rain

Red Bull Formula One driver Mark Webber of Australia stands by his car in pit lane after taking pole position during Qualifying for the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix in Sepang. Photo: AP

Mark Webber claimed the pole position in a Red Bull on Saturday for the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix as rain played havoc with qualifying and sent Ferrari and McLaren to the rear of the grid.

The Australian Webber clocked 1 minute 49.327 seconds for the 5.543-kilometres lap after a heavy downpour led to an 18-minute interruption of the final qualifying round.

Nico Rosberg of Germany was a distant second in a Mercedes GP and compatriot Sebastian Vettel third in the other Red Bull.

Ferrari and McLaren paid the price for waiting too long for better conditions in the first session as they never came. As a result, world champion Jenson Button will start from 17th place, McLaren team—mate Lewis Hamilton from 20th, championship leader Fernando Alonso of Ferrari from 19th and team—mate Felipe Massa from 21st.