Qualifying started with two big surprises - strategy calls dropped both Ferrari and Williams drivers out of the session before it had really got going. With the bottom six decided, the Marussia duo made it into Q2 and settled for 12th and 13th - a great result for the team on the rise. It was Q3 where things really kicked off, however, as the rain dictated where and when the track was fast.

Lewis Hamilton thought he had pole position in the bag, but a few drivers tried their hand at another lap just to see what the track could offer up. Hamilton backed off his own final flying lap, leaving Rosberg to snatch pole position, and several others to push Lewis down the order. A top three position for Jenson Button brightened a difficult season for McLaren.