Rosberg gets pole position at F1 Singapore Grand Prix 2016

Updated: 2016-09-18 10:10

(Xinhua)

Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg of Germany celebrates after taking pole position during the qualifying session for the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix on the Marina Bay City Circuit Singapore, Sept 17, 2016. [Photo/IC]

SINGAPORE-- Nico Rosberg of Mercedes on Saturday got the pole position for Singapore Grand Prix in qualifying session with the week's fastest time of 1 minute and 42.584 seconds.

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo closely followed Rosberg, ranking the second and Championship leader Lewis Hamilton finally anchored the third place.

Rosberg led the second practice session on Friday and the third practice session on Saturday. With a good warm-up, the German driver kept the momentum to the qualifying. Rosberg gave a stunning time of 1 minute 43.020 seconds in Q2, and made it even faster in Q3.

"That was one of my top three laps ever and I'm so happy that it came on my 200th GP weekend," said Rosberg after the race.

Red Bull Racing's Daniel Ricciardo surpassed Hamilton in Q3, joining Rosberg on the front row, with a time of 1 minute and 43.115 seconds.

Hamilton has struggled this week. His time of 1 minute 43.288 seconds was set in Q3, ranking the third position. While Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who stood out during Friday's first practice session, ranked the fourth place.