Hamilton happy with late effort

The circuit was dry for most of the final Q3 shootout, but light rain at La Source in the last two minutes made it difficult for drivers to make improvements.

Despite the difficult conditions, Hamilton was able to improve his time to within one tenth of Webber and claim a spot on the front row.

"It was quite a tricky session through the whole qualifying," Hamilton said. "I got out for my first lap, the first one out. Turn 14 was drying up but I was first one to get there and didn't know how much to push. It was a bit of a disappointing first lap, I wasn't able to hold the time out of the tyres.

"Then I got the opportunity on the second lap which was good lap apart from Turn 1. That was wet and a little bit damp, I lost time there. But the rest of the track was dry and I was able to utilise the tyres and pull out the time.

"I think I was a tenth behind Mark, there was the potential there to be in front in P1, but to be P2 on front row is a good position for us."

Hamilton says he will have to find a balance between aggression and caution at the start of the race tomorrow, when the straight-line speed of his McLaren is expected to allow him to challenge Webber for the lead on the first lap.

"We are on the front row - the positive thing is we are up there and in for the fight," he said. "I will be aggressive, but I have to be cautious at the same time. Tomorrow is a different day - we don't know if it will rain or be dry, but we are in a good position to get good points."