SHANGHAI (AP) — Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg claimed the first Formula One pole position of his career Saturday, topping qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix.
McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton finished second in qualifying, but will have to start Sunday’s race from seventh due to a five-place grid penalty for changing his gearbox.
Michael Schumacher qualified third and will start beside his Mercedes teammate on the front row due to Hamilton’s penalty.
Sauber’s Kamui Kobayashi was an impressive fourth, followed by Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus, Jenson Button of McLaren, Mark Webber of Red Bull and Sergio Perez of Sauber.
World champion Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull was knocked out in the second session, missing the top 10 by 0.05 seconds and qualifying 11th.
