Webber takes pole for Monaco Grand Prix

MONTE CARLO - Mark Webber of Red Bull will start from pole position in the Monaco Grand Prix after holding off the challenge of Renault’s Robert Kubica to finish fastest in Saturday’s qualifying session.

The Australian, who also won last week’s Spanish GP, clocked 1 minute 13.826 seconds for the 3.340-kilometre street circuit to grab his third pole of the season and fourth overall.

Kubica will start from second on the grid after registering a time of 1:14.120 minutes, followed by Sebastian Vettel in the second Red Bull and Ferrari’s Felipe Massa.

Red Bull have now claimed top spot on the grid for all six races so far this season while Renault engines occupy the top three places for Sunday’s race.

“Today’s lap just all came together, nice clean exits,” said Australia’s Webber.

“Three Renault engines and to get pole at Monaco is a nice feeling.”

Kubica was fastest in the final free practice session but had to yield to Webber’s superior pace in qualifying.

“This was a good effort for us, the team and myself,” said the Pole, adding that he thought the result was the best his team could have expected.

“So far, so good. When you are so close it’s better to finish first but we have to be happy.”

McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton had to be satisfied with fifth place while team-mate and championship leader Jenson Button qualified down in eighth spot behind Mercedes pair Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher.

Meanwhile, Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso will have to start from the pit-lane after crashing out in final free practice earlier in the day.

The two-time world champion crashed into the barriers at Massenet 23 minutes into the hour-long session and was unable to repair the damage to his car in time to register a lap time in qualifying.

Defending world champion Button leads the 2010 standings with 70 points from Alonso (67) and Vettel (60) after five of 19 season races.

“Around here it counts a lot to have driveability,” said Vettel.

“I’m looking forward to tomorrow, it’s a long race and lots of things can happen.”