McLaren grab front row for Italian Grand Prix

Alonso achieved his second pole of the season in a time of one minute 22.997 seconds for the 5.793 kilometre lap, to finish .037 seconds ahead of Hamilton.

 Alonso said that it was not too difficult to be focused on the race after the ongoing spy scandal for the first time this week involved the McLaren drivers.

 "After Turkey I managed to get a bit closer to the championship and there are five finals to go, so I am focused. I want five wins if I can and thanks to that motivation, it is not difficult to focus as a result.

 "I have been doing well in qualifying, but not really had enough poles, so it is very satisfying to be able to start the race from pole," he said.

 Hamilton, meanwhile, said that he was not totally happy with the balancing of his car. "I had a few problems, but I am still happy with my time. I think everybody in the team has put in a great effort and that shows.

 Felipe Massa in a Ferrari posted the third fastest time, but Nick Heidfeld in a BMW-Sauber prevented an all-Ferrari second row with an excellent final lap that gave him the fourth-fastest time.

 Massa said that he did not know what strategy the other teams were on, but he hoped for a good race. "I think it has shown how things change from course to course, but I am hoping that we can do well in the race."

   Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen had the fifth fastest time, followed by Robert Kubica in the second BMW. The fourth row on the grid belongs to Renault's Heikki Kovalainen and Nico Rosberg in a Williams.

 Jarno Trulli in a Toyota and the Honda of Jenson Button complete the top ten placings from the qualifying.

 Raikkonen was competing in the spare Ferrari after earlier Saturday being involved in a horrific accident during the free practise session.

 The Finn's car suddenly veered to the right and hit the wall and as the front right tyre broke off its hinges, the Ferrari slid towards the tyre wall.

 Although the tyres covered the Ferrari, Raikkonen seemed unhurt. He did though go for a medical check up at the end of the practise session.

 Hamilton leads the driver standings ahead of the 13th of 17 season races with 84 points, while Alonso has 79. Massa is third on 69 - one more than Raikkonen.

DPA