AP
McLaren Mercedes Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain leads teammate Heikki Kovalainen of Finland during the official qualifying session for the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne yesterday. Hamilton claimed pole for today's race.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP):

LEWIS HAMILTON got an early psychological edge over Kimmi Raikkonen, winning pole position yesterday for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, while the world champion will start near the back of the grid.

McLaren's Hamilton had the fastest times in the second and third runs of the three-phase qualifying session ahead of today's race around the 5.303-kilometre (3.295-mile) Albert Park circuit

He was timed in one minute, 25.187 in the second phase and 1:26.714 in the third to clinch No. 1 spot on the grid for the seventh time in 18 GP races.

"Being in pole is a great feeling, but there's always improvements you can make," said Hamilton, who will line up on the front row with BMW Sauber driver Robert Kubica and one in front of McLaren teammate Heikki Kovalainen.

"I couldn't have wished for a better start to the season," Hamilton added. "Everything just came together when it mattered. Really, to start the season, we couldn't be in a better position."

Raikkonen's season could hardly have started worse, relegated to 15th place on the grid in the race he won last season.