F1: Button On Pole For Spanish Grand Prix

Brawn GP’s Jenson Button will start from pole position for tonight’s Spanish Grand Prix after a stunning last gasp effort denied Sebastian Vettel top spot on the grid.

Button crossed the finish line with two seconds to spare to begin his final flying lap after a mix-up left him languishing behind BMW’s Robert Kubica on his out lap.

Despite having a limited window to complete his lap, the Brit was able to establish a gap between himself and Kubica before embarking on his quest for pole, beating Vettel by a tenth.

Fellow Brawn driver Rubens Barrichello could only manage third despite setting the fastest time of the weekend in Q2, while Ferrari’s Felipe Massa and Aussie Mark Webber rounded out the top five.

The championship leader, Button was surprised to snatch his third pole of the 2009 campaign after struggling to find a suitable set-up on Friday.

“An unexpected but very pleasing pole position today and it is probably my most satisfying pole of the season,” he said.

“My final lap in Q3 was by far the best lap that I've had this weekend but it was a bit close crossing the line with just two seconds to spare.”

After outpacing team mate Vettel in Q1 and Q2, Webber looked to be in a position to challenge for pole, but he was unable to sustain his form in the important final session, compromising his chances of finishing on the podium.

“That was a bit disappointing. I would like to have done a slightly better job in Q3 and I could have done it. Q2 was good, but that’s not the most important session. We’re fifth, so let’s see what we can do from there tomorrow,” he said.

But while Button and Vettel appear to be favourites for victory, Massa looms as the dark horse, and is well placed to secure Ferrari’s first win of the season.

The Brazilian is carrying the heaviest fuel load in the top six and is armed with the KERS system, which provides a 10 metre boost at the start and will make him a difficult opponent to pass on track.