/world sport
SAKHIR, Bahrain -- Poland's Robert Kubica produced a stunning performance to claim pole position for Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix in his BMW Sauber.
Kubica gives the thumbs up after his surprise pole position in Bahrain.
Kubica recorded the fastest lap of one minute 33.096 seconds in the closing moments of Saturday's final qualifying.
Ferrari's Felipe Massa took second on the grid with world championship leader Lewis Hamilton third fastest in his McLaren.
Hamilton will share the second row with reigning world champion Kimi Raikkonen, who is three points adrift of the Briton in this year's title race after two rounds.
Kubica was claiming his first pole position and the first for his emerging team.
"After missing out on the chance in Australia, I am happy I've not had to wait too long for this, " he said.
Brazil's Massa had dominated the first two phases of qualifying and looked hot favorite to take pole until the final runs of the leading drivers.
First Hamilton, who had suffered a nasty crash in Friday practice, pulled out all the stops to go fastest in one minute 33.292 seconds.
Kubica, following close behind, was even quicker, putting the pressure on Massa who made a small mistake towards the end of his lap and missed out on the pole.
Finn Raikkonen appeared to be running with more fuel, leaving the Ferraris with a strong hand in the race proper.
Hamilton's teammate Heikki Kovalainen took fifth fastest with Nick Heidfeld in the second BMW in sixth. E-mail to a friend 
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