Formula One: Hamilton steals pole by 0.007s from Rosberg in dramatic Singapore qualifier

Ferrari Formula One driver Kimi Raikkonen of Finland drives during the third practice session of the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix at the Marina Bay street circuit in Singapore on Sept 20, 2014. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Ferrari Formula One driver Kimi Raikkonen of Finland drives during the third practice session of the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix at the Marina Bay street circuit in Singapore on Sept 20, 2014. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg of Germany drives during the third practice session of the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay street circuit as seen from Swissotel The Stamford on Sept 20, 2014. -- ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain during the qualifying session of the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street circuit on Sept 20, 2014. -- PHOTO: AFP
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain gestures to fans after finishing first in the qualifying session of the 2014 Formula One Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit on Sept 20, 2014. -- ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain waves to fans after finishing first in the qualifying session of the 2014 Formula One Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit on Sept 20, 2014. -- ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton (centre) of Britain, flanked by teammate Nico Rosberg of Germany (right) and Infiniti Red Bull Racing driver Daniel Ricciardo, waves to fans after finishing first in the qualifying session of the 2014 Formula One Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit on Sept 20, 2014. -- ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

Sunday's Formula One Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix is perfectly set up with drivers' championship chasers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg occupying the front row.

Hamilton grabbed the all-important pole position from his Mercedes teammate with a stunning lap of 1min 45.681sec during qualifying at the Marina Bay Street Circuit on Saturday evening.

"Damn it," screamed Rosberg into his team radio upon learning he had been pipped by his fiercest rival. The German holds a precarious 22-point lead over the Englishman with six races to go.

Red Bull pair Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel claimed third and fourth spots respectively, while Ferrari's Fernando Alonso took a surprise fifth placing. Four of the six Singapore editions have been won by pole sitters, who have a clear run at the tight corners and tricky chicanes that restrict overtaking.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.