Vettel surges ahead to take the pole at Belgium

Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel held off Lewis Hamilton's McLaren in difficult weather conditions in Saturday's qualifying to secure pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix.

The defending Formula One champion and will start from the front for the ninth time this season, with his Red Bull teammate Mark Webber securing third place on the grid.

Jenson Button's hopes of following up his win at the Hungarian Grand Prix took a blow as he failed to make the third and final qualifying session, and the British driver will start back in 13th.

Seven-time former champion Michael Schumacher, racing at Spa 20 years after making his F1 debut on this track, crashed out on the first lap of the first qualifying session and will start the race in last place.