2014 Chinese Grand Prix: Hamilton sets record by winning his 34th pole position

Lewis Hamilton again went fastest in a wet qualification and stunned the world by setting a new record for pole positions by a British driver at the Chinese Grand Prix. Daniel Ricciardo will start second on the grid after having outqualifyed team-mate and defending champion, Sebastian Vettel by half a second.

The Red Bulls were clearly on the tail of the Mercedes driver but that did not dither Hamilton from grabbing his 34th pole position. He now moves one clear of Jim Clark and fourth in the all-time list behind Michael Schumacher, Ayrton Senna and Vettel.

Team mate Rosberg will start from fourth place as he struggled for grip and therefore pace. He spun out at the final corner on his last attempt, but he looked unlikely to improve. Fernando Alonso will start from fifth alongside his former Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa, with Valtteri Bottas, Nico Hulkenberg, Jean-Eric Vergne and Romain Grosjean finishing off the top ten.

What is crucial here is that both the red bulls will be onto the lone Mercedes ahead of them and Vettel might just take off like he usually does. But do not discount Daniel Ricciardo who will be keen to jump out and grab his first podium finish.