Nico Rosberg denied world champion teammate Lewis Hamilton a fifth pole position in a row by seizing the top slot for Mercedes at the Spanish Grand Prix on Saturday.
Hamilton lost out for the first time this season and had to settle for second on the starting grid.
The pole on a sunny afternoon in Barcelona was the 16th of Rosberg’s F1 career, his first since Abu Dhabi last November, and came as a timely boost in a battle that has seen Hamilton take the upper hand.
“I needed it sooner rather than later,” the German told reporters. “It is one step in the right direction to winning the race this weekend. It was a good day in the office.”
Hamilton, who had spun in final practice at the exit to turn three, said he had simply lacked the pace.
“Nico did a great job...I don’t know if I really have the balance (of the car) where I would like it but I did my best with it and I think tomorrow there is a lot to play for.”
Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel will line up in third place with Finland's Valtteri Bottas, in a Williams, alongside on the second row.
The crowd, although sparse in the main grandstands, were cheered by Toro Rosso’s Spanish rookie Carlos Sainz taking fifth place on the grid on his home debut.
Hamilton won from pole last year but eight different drivers have triumphed in the past eight years at the Circuit de Catalunya and Rosberg is perfectly placed to continue that trend.
