Hamilton confirms McLaren return

McLaren is back in the forefront. After signing a convincing victory at the end of July in Hungary, Martin Whitmarsh's team managed to achieve a fantastic performance in Valencia by lifting its two cars to the forefront. Lewis Hamilton also confirms his renewed form by claiming his first pole of the season, the 14th of his career. His teammate Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren), put under pressure by his director with a view to next season, responded perfectly by signing the second time, just 0.034 sec. of his teammate. It thus allows the Woking team to monopolize the first row.

Behind, the second row will be occupied by the rivals for the Manufacturers' title: Brawn GP and Red Bull. Rubens Barrichello (Brawn GP) will thus leave in the wake of Lewis Hamilton while Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) will follow right alongside him. Home, Fernando Alonso (Renault) was only able to set the eighth fastest time after qualifying at the last minute for Q3. Romain Grosjean (Renault), his teammate in the French team, did well for his first GP since he easily passed into Q2 before failing just three tenths behind the last qualifier for Q3, Kimi Räikkönen .

The Ferrari driver, for his part, achieved the sixth time far ahead of the other driver in the Team, Luca Badoer. The Italian, for his first Grand Prix in 10 years, did not take off from 20th and last place, almost a second and a half from 19th (!), Jaime Alguersuari. Finally, the two leaders of the world championship, Jenson Button (Brawn GP) and Mark Webber (Red Bull) will start fifth and ninth respectively.