Heikki's Finn the mood for glory

Jul 6 2008 By Jamie Hewitt

FLYING Finn Heikki Kovalainen stole Lewis Hamilton's thunder on his home patch by romping to pole position for today's British Grand Prix.

Kovalainen blitzed the Silverstone circuit to secure the first pole of his Formula One career in 1min 21.049secs.

And he finished half a second quicker than the most unlikely candidate to join him on the front row - Red Bull's Mark Webber.

Kimi Raikkonen will start third in his Ferrari with Hamilton next up following one of the season's most dramatic qualifying shoot-outs.

McLaren ace Heikki said: "It's great to be on pole. Our pace has been good all week and I'm confident our strategy will be strong.

"There were quite difficult conditions in Q1 but the second part wasmuch better and I had a great run in the final section."

Brit hopeful Hamilton effectively blew it on his first flying lap in the closing 10-minute Q3 when he ran wide on to the gravel going into Priory.

That led to a warning from his McLaren team over the radio on his second lap: "Do not overdrive! Do not overdrive!" as he was quickest in the first two sectors, only to do exactly that.

Ahead of the penultimate Grand Prix at Silverstone - with Donington Park hosting the British showpiece from 2010 - Raikkonen is a point away from becoming only the seventh driver in F1 history to reach the 500-point mark.

The Finn is also bidding to become the first Ferrari driver since Alberto Ascari in 1952 and 1953 to win back-to-back British Grand Prix.

Webber produced the qualifying performance of his life - but admitted he was still stunned to land second place.

The Australian said: "It's a bit of a surprise, we've been strong but didn't realise just how strong.

"I've got second and can'twait for the race - I wish it was now."

Behind Hamilton come Renault's Fernando Alonso and the BMW Sauber of Nick Heidfeld followed by Sebastien Vettel's Toro Rosso.

Championship leader Felipe Massa is ninth in his Ferrari with his closest challenger, BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica, 10th.

David Coulthard, competing in his final British Grand Prix after confirming he will retire at the end of the season, missed the top 10 by 0.059secs in his Red Bull.

Brit Jenson Button's recent woeful form continued as he trundled in 17th in his Honda.

Aberdeen's Ryan Sharp was fastest in pre-qualifying ahead of today's fourth round of the FIA GT World Championship at Oscherslaben in Germany.

The 28-year-old posted a time of 1minute 24.569secs in his Jetalliance Aston Martin DBR9.