Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes has edged out defending champion and Formula One points leader Sebastian Vettel to claim pole position for Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix.

Hamilton, the 2008 world champion, pulled out a best lap of 1min 19.388sec to land his third straight pole and the 30th of his career with Red Bull’s Vettel timing 1.19.426.

Frenchman Romain Grosjean in a Lotus was third fastest followed by the Mercedes of Nico Rosberg, Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen in a Lotus.

Mark Webber failed to post a time in the last session and will start tenth.

Fellow Aussie Daniel Ricciardo further enhanced his claim to Webber’s seat next season by posting the eighth quickest time in his Toro Rosso.