Nico Rosberg captures pole position for Brazilian Grand Prix

Nico Rosberg edged Mercedes teammate and title rival Lewis Hamilton to take pole position for the Brazilian Grand Prix on Saturday.

Rosberg was fastest with a lap of 1 minute, 10.023 seconds, just 0.033 seconds ahead of Hamilton. Local favorite Felipe Massa was third and his Williams teammate Valtteri Bottas finished fourth.

Rosberg had already led Hamilton in all three practice sessions this weekend. He trails Hamilton by 24 points in the overall standings and needs to win in Brazil on Sunday to have a real shot at his first title. The championship can’t be decided at Interlagos because the race in Abu Dhabi later this month will be worth double points.

It was the 10th pole position for Rosberg in 18 races this season.

Sebastian Vettel, who won the race at Interlagos last year, had mechanical problems early and just barely made it past the first qualifying session, but he was still able to guarantee sixth place on the grid, one spot ahead of Jenson Button of McLaren.

Fernando Alonso will start eight with Ferrari, two spots ahead of teammate Kimi Raikkonen. Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull finished ninth on the grid.

Hamilton can clinch the title with consecutive second-place finishes in the last two races, or by coming third in Brazil and second in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 23.