Qualifying: Alonso claims first Ferrari pole

Fernando Alonso clinched his first-ever pole position for Ferrari and did so in style, claiming it at their home race in front of the tifosi at Monza

Ferrari proved to be the team to beat throughout qualifying with Felipe Massa quickest in the first segment and Alonso following through in the second.

However, it was in the pole position shoot-out that Ferrari faced their stiffest competition, although it didn't come from Red Bull, who have dominated this season's qualifying. Instead, it came from McLaren and Jenson Button.

The reigning World Champ pushed Alonso through to the very end, but was unable to beat the Spaniard's 1:21.962, finishing 0.122s off the pace.

Felipe Massa was third ahead of Mark Webber, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel.

Times:
01. Alonso Ferrari 1:21.962
02. Button McLaren-Mercedes 1:22.084

03. Massa Ferrari 1:22.293
04. Webber Red Bull-Renault 1:22.433

05. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:22.623
06. Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1:22.675

07. Rosberg Mercedes 1:23.027
08. Hulkenberg Williams-Cosworth 1:23.037

09. Kubica Renault 1:23.039
10. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1:23.328

11. Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:23.199
12. Schumacher Mercedes 1:23.388

13. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1:23.659
14. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:23.681

15. Petrov Renault 1:23.819
16. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:23.919

17. de la Rosa Sauber-Ferrari 1:24.044
18. Trulli Lotus-Cosworth 1:25.540

19. Kovalainen Lotus-Cosworth 1:25.742
20. Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes 1:25.774

21. Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1:25.934
22. di Grassi Virgin-Cosworth 1:25.974

23. Senna HRT-Cosworth 1:26.847
24. Yamamoto HRT-Cosworth 1:27.020

Source: Planet-F1