F1 Belgian Grand Prix: Hamilton grabs last gasp pole in wet session

Former Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton snatched a dramatic pole position at the F1 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps.

Intermittent rain that fell at different parts of the 7.004 km long circuit made for a thrilling qualifying session. Sahara Force India's Paul Di Resta looked to have taken pole position after setting the pace in the beginning of the third and final session of qualifying before the rain started to fall.

However, Hamilton's Mercedes AMG teammate Nico Rosberg and then Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber all went faster than Di Resta as the rain stopped and the track started to dry again.

Right at the end of the session Hamilton managed to trump all three with a lap of 2:01.102 to set his 31st career pole position in F1 as early Q3 pacesetter Di Resta had to settle for fifth.

Behind the top five McLaren's Jenson Button, Lotus F1's Romain Grosjean and Kimi Raikkonen and Ferrari's Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa completed the top ten on the grid.

Hamilton's pole position was his fourth consecutive of the current F1 season and Mercedes AMG's seventh in the last eight races.

Overnight rain is expected before Sunday's race as well and a Mercedes AMG win may not yet be certain with a challenge sure to come from the Red Bulls and Nico Rosberg.

Raikkonen has also been strong at Spa before winning four races, including two from starting outside the top five.