Hamilton romps to Singapore Grand Prix pole

Singapore GP qualification1. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)2. Pastor Maldonado (Williams)3. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)4. Jenson Button (McLaren)5. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)6. Paul Di Resta (Force India)7. Mark Webber (Red Bull)8. Romain Grosjean (Lotus)9.Michael Schumacher (Mercedes)10. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)SINGAPORE - Lewis Hamilton secured pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix with a brilliant lap of one minute 46.362 seconds, ahead of Williams driver Pastor Maldonado.It was the 24th pole of the McLaren driver’s Formula 1 career, and the third in four races, as he put down the rising challenge of Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull, who had set the pace throughout the weekend until qualifying.It wasn’t all plain sailing for the Briton, who brushed the wall on his quick lap - though apparently without damage.But it won’t be the world champion Vettel that starts the grand prix at Marina Bay on the front row, as perhaps was expected, but Spanish Grand Prix winner Maldonado, who delivered a stunning (and surprising) lap to go second fastest ahead of Vettel.Jenson Button was fourth fastest ahead of points’ leader Fernando Alonso and Paul di Resta in the rapid Force India. Mark Webber was seventh fastest for the moment, but that may change as the Australian is under investigation for allegedly impeding Timo Glock during Q1.Romain Grosjean, with what might have constituted the scruffiest lap of the season, was eighth fastest ahead of the two Mercedes of Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg, who both declined to set a laptime in Q3.Agencies