Webber celebrates 'very special' day

In a session marked by the intermittent rain that made life very difficult for all teams, Webber emerged on top to become the first Australian to secure pole since Alan Jones in 1980.

The Red Bull Racing driver outpaced championship leaders Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello, while team-mate Sebastian Vettel had to settle for fourth position.

"It is very special day for me," admitted Webber. "To get pole... I've been close a few times in the past, and on pole fuel corrected a few times but that doesn't count.

"We are here, team has done a great job all weekend, we got very tested in that session."

He added: "I think that the car is working very well here, but talking to my engineer, it was so hard. We learned a little bit in Q2 with Rubens doing that lap, he did a very good lap, it was chaotic to read what we needed at the end.

"Obviously you call on experience, you have a great team of people around you, they are on pit wall and making the right calls, the best drivers in world you know.

"It was difficult knowing what track was going to do, how greasy the track was and what tyre to use. It was a very difficult session and one our team did well and that is why we got pole."

Webber said he is now aiming to turn his pole position into his first Formula 1 victory, and he feels confident he can do it.

"I hope so. I am in a fantastic position to do it, these guys have had a strong season, but we are looking forward to the fight. I am up for trying to win my first race tomorrow," the Australian said.

"I think a nice boring GP for me would be fantastic. We are ready for all conditions, we know we can compete.

"It is a great situation to be in, the fight for podiums, and obviously to win at this level you need everything to go for you. I've been close, had a few seconds, the day might come and it may be tomorrow."