In what has now become yet another dramatic chapter in the supersonic storybook that is the tale of the 2008 Formula 1 World Championship, Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Raikkonen, Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso will all surround each other at the sharp end of the grid for the start of the penultimate round of the world’s most important motorsports series in China in 24 hours’ time. When qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix was called complete today at the Shanghai’s International Circuit, championship leader Lewis Hamilton and his McLaren fought intrepidly and ultimately found their way to the pole position. Directly adjacent to him will be Scuderia Ferrari driver and reigning World Champion Kimi Raikkonen. Immediately behind Hamilton will be his main antagonist for the title, Felipe Massa and his Ferrari and beside him come start time on Sunday will be Renault’s Fernando Alonso. The flamboyant Spaniard who certainly has not been shy in the global media in recent days about displaying his disdain for former McLaren teammate Hamilton. Intriguingly, it is this same foursome that ignited so many fireworks with their on-track actions and altercations last week at the Motegi circuit in Japan.

"I think taking some positives from the previous race we came here strong and determined and in a good frame of mind," said Hamilton of earning P1. "We have been competitive all weekend. Practice went well and qualifying was one of our best. The first run was not that great but the last lap was as close as I could get to a perfect lap."

Massa. who is a scant few points behind Hamilton in the tussle for the title added: "We were struggling a little bit in the weekend and just struggling to make the right lap, and it looks like the McLaren guys had a more easier car to put the lap together," said the Brazilian, a half second off the pace of the Silver Arrow. "Anyway we don't know how it is going to be in the race. We had a similar result in the last race, and had a very strong pace to win the race. I hope to have a strong pace to win the race and try and see if we can improve our car a bit, especially on the long stints."

Fifth on the grid, and certainly in a support role for McLaren’s leading actor will be Heikki Kovalainen.

Robert Kubica of the Sauber-BMW outfit — still a mathematical longshot for the title — had an abysmal qualifying sessions in China, finding himself 12th on the grid when all was said and done, bizarrely, his poorest qualifying display of the entire 2008 campaign. Mark Webber of the Red Bull team raced around the Shanghai International Circuit rapidly enough to earn the sixth spot, but an engine change issue meant the spot was bestowed to BMW man Nick Heidfeld. Eighth spot belongs to Toro Rosso pilot Sebastian Vettel, ninth to Toyota TF108-driver Jarno Trulli and 10th to STR’s Sebastien Bourdais.

Honda’s Rubens Barrichello finally made it out into Q2 to nick the 14th spot on the grid, one spot better that that of Williams’ Nico Rosberg (Williams). Honda’s Jenson Button will start 18th immediately behind Williams' Kazuki Nakajima.

Eric Johnson