SINGAPORE -- Lewis Hamilton claimed the pole position for Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix after Rubens Barrichello's crash in the closing seconds of qualifying brought the session to an early end.

McLaren's Hamilton turned the quickest lap around the 3.148-mile, 23-turn Marina Bay Street Circuit in the final qualifying session (Q3) at one minute, 47.891 seconds for his third pole of the season and the 16th of his Formula One career. The 2008 world champion won the pole for the Italian Grand Prix two weeks ago.

"The car over the weekend has just got better and better as the evolution of the track has got more grip," Hamilton said. "We'll see what happens with the strategies, but obviously I'm in the position starting from the front."

Sebastian Vettel will join Hamilton on the front starting row after the Red Bull Racing driver posted a lap at 1:48.204.

Nico Rosberg was fastest in the second qualifying session (Q2) but settled for third on the starting grid. The Williams driver matched his career-best start.

"It's really enjoyable at the moment, and I'm really pleased for the team that we have made another step forward," Rosberg said. "Perhaps we can even fight for a win very soon."

Vettel's teammate, Mark Webber, qualified fourth, while Barrichello from Brawn GP was fifth on the time charts before his accident. Barrichello, however, received a five-place grid penalty due to a gearbox change prior to qualifying. He will start 10th.

Championship leader and Brawn driver Jenson Button also had a frustrating session. Button, who holds a 14-point lead over Barrichello, will start 12th after being knocked out in Q2.

"In Q1 the car felt good, although we had a bit of understeer," Button said. "In the second session we tried to help that, we lowered the front tire pressures a bit, but I hit the floor, locked the brakes and it cost me a lot of time."

Ferrari had a disappointing session as well, with Kimi Raikkonen qualifying 13th and Giancarlo Fisichella, the substitute driver for the injured Felipe Massa, taking the 18th spot. Fisichella won the pole for the Belgian Grand Prix one month ago when he drove for Force India.

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