Reigning Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton was delighted to come out on top in a rain-interrupted qualifying session for the Malaysia Grand Prix.
Hamilton almost missed out on a place in the top 10 after being caught up in traffic during what was effectively a one-lap shootout prior to heavy rain falling during Q2.
The torrential downpour resulted in Q3 being delayed, but it was Hamilton who secured the 40th pole position of his career, ahead of Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari and Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg, when the drivers belatedly returned to the track at Sepang International Circuit.
Hamilton is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "I think the first lap was good, it's always difficult in conditions like that and not one of us have driven in the wet this weekend.
"You don't want to take too much risk. Generally it was a fantastic job by the team."
Vettel believes more rain on Sunday could make for an interesting race.
"You never know [how tomorrow could go]," said the four-time world champion.
"Just look outside, when it starts to rain here it can mix up things.
"It was an interesting qualifying session, the car felt good in both conditions and the car looked good on long runs in practice. We will see what we can do tomorrow."
Rosberg, meanwhile, is focused on passing Vettel ahead of the first corner on Sunday.
"Third is not good for tomorrow but that is the way it is," he said.
"It was interesting conditions out there, I have seldom had so much grip in wet conditions.
"Third is on the clean side of the grid, so that should help me get past Sebastian Vettel at the start."