Alonso takes pole after weather delays qualifying

Fernando Alonso has taken pole position for the British Grand Prix in a weather interrupted qualifying session at Silverstone.

Alonso edged Australia’s Mark Webber by just 0.05s in the dying stages of Q3 to secure Ferrari’s first pole since the 2010 Singapore Grand Prix.

Webber had moved to the top of the order with just 30 seconds remaining, but could not counter Alonso’s subsequent lap with a final attempt of his own.

The fastest times in Q3 were set on intermediate tyres despite several drivers starting the final 10 minute period on the extreme wet rubber.

Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel will make up an all-German second row, while Felipe Massa, Kimi Raikkonen, Pastor Maldonado, Lewis Hamilton, Nico Hulkenberg and Romain Grosjean round out the top 10.

Grosjean did not run in Q3 after spinning into the gravel late in the second segment.

Q2 was interrupted by a 90 minute red flag period as rain intensified around Northamptonshire venue.

Alonso sat outside the top 10 at the time of the stoppage, but benefited from the improved track conditions when the resumption finally came.

Conversely, Sergio Perez and Nico Rosberg were first and third in the order respectively at the time of the red flag, but would both fail to progress.

Jenson Button had earlier been a major scalp in Q1 – the Briton aborting a lap that appeared set to see him into the next session when yellow flags appeared for a spun Timo Glock in the final sector.

See below for the full qualifying result

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