Sepang (Malaysia): Lewis Hamilton kept reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel at bay to take pole position for the Malaysian Grand Prix in treacherous conditions, with the rain acting as a leveler of performance and allowing the Red Bull to challenge the Mercedes.


Lewis Hamilton during qualifying on Saturday. Pic/Getty Images 

Hamilton lapped the 5.543 kilometer long Sepang circuit in one minute, 59.431 seconds, edging Vettel out by just five hundredths of a second.