Karthikeyan takes pole at Brands Hatch

The Indian, who finished fourth in the opening round but has spun out on the first lap in both subsequent races, bumped Jenson Button from the top spot, and then went faster still in his Dallara-Mugen Honda to put the matter beyond doubt. It marked the first ever pole for Karthikeyan's team, Carlin Motorsport.

"We have made lots of improvements on the car since testing," said Karthikeyan, who was fifth in Thursday's session. "The car's working well. I didn't really expect pole, but I knew I'd be in the top four. I hope to complete one lap this time!"

Button was knocked further down the order by Brazilian Luciano Burti and top rookie Matt Davies, driving Dallara-Mugens for Stewart Racing and Fortec Motorsport respectively.

That's an important result for Burti, who starts the race ahead of main title rivals Button, Marc Hynes and Kristian Kolby. "I'm sure Narain will be trying his maximum," he said. "If I'm in second place, I'll be happy to let him go."

Hard-racing Davies turned around his shaky qualifying form to take third, despite early overheating problems and a dashboard failure. "Even on my quickest lap I had to overtake someone," he recalled, "otherwise I could have been on pole."

Thruxton winner Button felt he was overdriving a touch in his Promatecme Dallara-Renault, but nevertheless popped in a strong lap right on the chequered flag to vault back up from sixth to fourth.

That pushed Malaysian Alex Yoong back to fifth in his Alan Docking Racing Dallara-Mugen, which was overusing its rear tyres, and championship leader Marc Hynes down to sixth for Manor Motorsport. Mid-session tweaks by the Manor boys didn't work and, according to the two-time race winner, the car "just didn't flow".

At least he was better off than Kolby, who wrecked his Fortec Dallara at Paddock Bend, but will start a repaired car from seventh.

The second session, later this afternoon, will decide the grid for the second race at this double-header meeting.