Hammy pulls a fast one to clinch pole

Jul 20 2008 By Dave Gearing

LEWIS HAMILTON kept up his scintillating form to grab pole for today's German Grand Prix - and insisted all his extra graft can pay off with F1 title glory.

The McLaren star has been unstoppable since his British Grand Prix win at a soggy Silverstone two weeks ago.

Before that he had failed to score points in his previous two races due to mistakes.

But now Hamilton, who is in a three-way tie for the championship lead with Ferrari's Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen, is again the man to beat.

Chasing back-to-back victories for the first time since June last year Hamilton, 23, said: "I've worked hard on certain areas - more training, more time at home, more time with the family, on extracting the most from myself and the car.

"I've improved all round and put us in a stronger position."

Hamilton pipped Massa to top spot on the grid by 0.193 seconds.

Rain is likely at Hockenheim today butMassa insists that does not worry him despite spinning five times at Silverstone.

The Brazilian said: "I've not forgotten how to drive in the rain in F1. I just had a bad weekend."

Heikki Kovalainen starts from third while reigning champ Raikkonen is sixth and Robert Kubica in his BMW Sauber is seventh. Ahead of them are Jarno Trulli, fourth for Toyota, and Renault's Fernando Alonso.

Red Bull's David Coulthard starts from 10th with Honda's Jenson Button 14th.