SOCHI (REUTERS) - Championship leader Lewis Hamilton put Mercedes on pole position for the inaugural Russian Formula One Grand Prix on Saturday, with team-mate and title rival Nico Rosberg having to settle for second.

Finland's Valtteri Bottas qualified third for Williams, with McLaren's Jenson Button completing the second row of the starting grid.

Russian Daniil Kvyat will line up in fifth place for the Toro Rosso team.

Hamilton leads Rosberg by 10 points with four races, and double points in the Abu Dhabi finale, remaining. The Briton, world champion in 2008, is chasing his fourth win in a row on Sunday and ninth of the season.

Defending four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel failed to make it to the third qualifying session, starting 11th on the grid, with Williams Felipe Massa, who was knocked out in the first stage, in 18th spot.