McLaren Dominates Australian GP, Qualify One-Two [SLIDESHOW]

McLaren Formula One driver Hamilton smiles during the post-qualifying news conference of the Australian F1 Grand Prix at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne — McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain smiles during the post-qualifying news conference of the Australian F1 Grand Prix at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne March 17, 2012. Hamilton took the pole position. Reuters

McLaren enjoyed an outstanding qualifying session, at the season-opening 2012 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Melbourne on Saturday evening.

Lewis Hamilton plonked his car on pole with a time of 1:24.922 and was followed by team mate Jenson Button, who clocked 1:25.074.

There was a surprise third-placed driver - Lotus' Romain Grosjean with Mercedes' former multiple world champion Michael Schumacher in fourth.

Red Bull, looking to defend their constructor's title from last year got off to an ordinary start, with defending driver's world champion Sebastian Vettel trailing team mate and hometown boy Mark Webber in sixth. The biggest disappointment of the day, however, was certainly Ferrari.

The marquee Italian team could only manage a best of 12<sup>th for Fernando Alonso, who spun off into a gravel trap early on in the second session. His team mate, Felipe Massa, fared even worse, qualifying 16th.

Top Ten Qualifiers:

1. Lewis Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes - 1:24.922 (14 laps)

2. Jenson Button, McLaren-Mercedes - 1:25.074 (15 laps)

3. Romain Grosjean, Lotus-Renault - 1:25.302 (21 laps)

4. Michael Schumacher, Mercedes - 1:25.336 (18 laps)

5. Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing-Renault - 1:25.651 (17 laps)

6. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing-Renault - 1:25.668 (18 laps)

7. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes - 1:25.686 (16 laps)

8. Pastor Maldonado, Williams-Renault - 1:25.908 (20 laps)

9. Nico Hulkenberg, Force India-Mercedes - 1:26.451 (18 laps)

10. Daniel Ricciardo, STR-Ferrari - No Time (16 laps)

For other qualifying times, check here...