Australian driver Will Power boosted his chances of winning a third-straight Sao Paulo 300 when he edged IndyCar Series champion Dario Franchitti to take pole position for Sunday’s race.

Power had a lap of 1 minute, 21.4045 seconds on the four kilometre, 11-turn Anhembi circuit on the streets of South America’s biggest city, less than half a second ahead of Franchitti.

Franchitti’s Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Scott Dixon will start from third place.

James Hinchcliffe, Ryan-Hunter Reay and Justin Wilson rounded the fastest six in qualifying on Saturday.

Power is in great form having won the past two races at Long Beach and Alabama heading into Brazil and is the series points leader.