Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg stormed to a career-first pole position for the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai on Saturday.

The German son of former driver Keke Rosberg edged out McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes team-mate Michael Schumacher.

But Hamilton was be pushed back five places on Sunday’s starting grid as a penalty for changing his gearbox on Friday.

It was Rosberg’s first pole in 110 attempts of Formula One racing on a day when former champions Sebastian Vetell and Fernando Alonso struggled.

Alonso managed ninth fastest time in his Ferrari and Vetell was 11th as Red Bull teammate Mark Webber finished seventh.

Webber’s fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo was 17th fastest in his Toro Rosso.

Sauber’s Kamui Kobayashi was an impressive fourth, followed by Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus and Jenson Button of McLaren.