A stunning late lap from Sebastian Vettel secured Red Bull Racing their first pole position ahead of Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.
The German sat out most of the final two stages of qualifying due to concerns over the reliability of the car, but nevertheless stormed to the top of the order with a time of one minute 36.184 seconds.
Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso also enjoyed an superb qualifying session for Enstone's Renault F! team to line up alongside Vettel on the front row, while Mark Webber completed a fine day for Red Bull by claiming third.
The Brackley-built Brawn GP cars of Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello start fourth and fifth.
The result marks the first time this year that a car running without the controversial 'double-decker' diffuser has taken pole position.
World champion Lewis Hamilton was ninth for McLaren, who have shown signs of improvement with an updated car.
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