Button takes P1,ends pole drought

Jenson Button celebrated his 50th Formula One race for McLaren by ending a three-year wait and taking pole position in qualifying at the Belgian Grand Prix

Jenson Button celebrated his 50th Formula One race for McLaren by ending a three-year wait and taking pole position in qualifying at the Belgian Grand Prix on Saturday. The pole was Button8217;s first since the 2009 Monaco Grand Prix,the year in which he won a memorable championship with Brawn GP,and his first at McLaren and at the Spa circuit.

Japans Kamui Kobayashi put his Sauber on the front row,a career best for him and only the second time a Japanese driver has qualified so high on the grid,alongside the Briton with Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado in third place for Williams.

It8217;s been quite a long time since I got my last pole position, grinned Button,who whooped with delight after being told he was 8216;P18217; over the team radio.

It8217;s pretty emotional8230;it8217;s so important to come back after such a long break with a good result on Saturday, added the Briton,referring to the August shutdown following the previous race in Hungary in July. I know the race is tomorrow but this is close to winning a Grand Prix for me,it8217;s been so long, said Button,who had complained in final practice that his car lacked balance.

Button who now has eight career poles to his credit,is only seventh in the championship and a massive 88 points adrift of Ferrari8217;s overall leader Fernando Alonso but has refused to give up hope for being competitive.

The Briton has never won at Spa and nor has Alonso,who can rack up a record-equalling 24th successive points finish on Sunday and who qualified in sixth place behind the two Ferrari-powered Saubers. Alonso8217;s closest title rival,Red Bull8217;s Australian Mark Webber,was seventh fastest but has a five place penalty due to an unscheduled gearbox change.

Kimi Raikkonen,the driver with the best record at Spa in recent years with four wins at the longest circuit on the calendar,qualified fourth for Lotus ahead of Sauber8217;s Mexican Sergio Perez.

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Sauber8217;s form was an eye-opener,with Kobayashi only the second Japanese ever to start a Grand Prix on the front row.