Share

2015 Brazilian GP: Rosberg takes 5th pole in a row

Sao Paulo, Brazil - Nico Rosberg claimed his fifth consecutive pole position Saturday (November 14) when he outpaced Mercedes team mate and world champion Lewis Hamilton to take the prime starting slot for Sunday's 2015 Brazilian Grand Prix.

The 30-year-old German, who has found his form in the final part of a season that was dominated by the newly-crowned triple champion Hamilton, produced another text-book demonstration of his craft to leave the Englishman still waiting to claim his elusive 50th career pole.

Rosberg, who won the Mexican GP in October to boost his hopes of finishing as runner-up in the title race, clocked a fastest lap in one minute and 11.282 seconds in the final seconds of the session to beat Hamilton by 0.078 seconds.

It was the 21st pole of his career, the most by any driver not to have won the world title, and yet another front row lockout for the Mercedes team.

Rosberg also became the 13th driver in F1 history to claim five straight poles.

Behind the two "Silver Arrows" men, four-times champion Sebastian Vettel took third place for Ferrari ahead of Valtteri Bottas of Williams and his fellow-Finn Kimi Raikkonen in the second Ferrari.

Bottas, however, will drop to seventh on the grid as a result of a penalty that therefore ensures Ferrari fill the second row of the grid for Sunday's race.

Nico Hulkenberg of Force India was sixth ahead of Daniil Kvyat of Red Bull, local hero Felipe Massa in the second Williams, Daniel Ricciardo in the second Red Bull and the ever-improving Dutch teenager Max Verstappen who took 10th place for Toro Rosso.

2015 Brazilian GP starting grid

1st row
Nico Rosberg (GER/Mercedes)
Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes)

2nd row
Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari)
Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari)

3rd row
Nico Hlkenberg (GER/Force India-Mercedes)
Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Williams-Mercedes)

4th row
Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Red Bull-Renault)
Felipe Massa (BRA/Williams-Mercedes)

5th row
Max Verstappen (NED/Toro Rosso-Renault)
Felipe Nasr (BRA/Sauber-Ferrari)

6th row
Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Toro Rosso-Renault)
Sergio Perez (MEX/Force India-Mercedes)

7th row
Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber-Ferrari)
Romain Grosjean (FRA/Lotus-Mercedes)

8th row
Pastor Maldonado (VEN/Lotus-Mercedes)
Jenson Button (GBR/McLaren-Honda)

9th row
Alexander Rossi (USA/Marussia-Ferrari)
Will Stevens (GBR/Marussia-Ferrari)

10th row
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull-Renault)
Fernando Alonso (ESP/McLaren-Honda)

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()