2013 Chinese GP: Lewis Hamilton on pole ahead of Kimi Raikkonen & Fernando Alonso

Lewis Hamilton has claimed pole position for the Chinese GP after costly mistakes by Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel - and a high-profile blunder by Red Bull which saw the luckless Mark Webber sent to the back of the grid.

"The two closest guys [Raikkonen and Alonso] will be the biggest challenge," predicted Hamilton to Sky Sports F1. "The Ferrari is massively quick on the first lap and so is Kimi. And Kimi is particularly very strong with looking after the option tyres so it's going to be very hard to keep them behind. "After that when we get on to the primes I think we are in a good position but it's just a matter of how much ground we can maintain or try not to lose in the first stint." After Saturday's frustration, the relief of Sunday should be fun and fireworks.