Kovalainen takes first pole at Silverstone

By Alan Baldwin

SILVERSTONE (Reuters) - McLaren's Heikki Kovalainen seized the first pole position of his Formula One career at the British Grand Prix on Saturday after lapping more than half a second quicker than his rivals.

The 26-year-old Finn roared around the former World War Two airfield in one minute 21.049 seconds, with Australian Mark Webber second fastest in 1:21.554 in gusty and changeable conditions.

"Well done, you're on pole by a mile," he was told over the radio after depriving Red Bull's Webber of what would have been his and his team's first pole with the last lap of the session.

Ferrari's world champion Kimi Raikkonen, Kovalainen's compatriot, qualified third but ahead of his title rivals.

Lewis Hamilton was unable to match his 2007 Silverstone pole with fourth place for McLaren after running wide into the gravel on his first flying lap and being told not to overdrive by his race engineer.

Championship leader Felipe Massa was only ninth for Ferrari, the Brazilian's worst showing of the season, with his closest rival Robert Kubica 10th for BMW-Sauber after being sidelined by handling problems.

Massa has 48 points after eight races to Kubica's 46 and Raikkonen's 43 with Hamilton on 38.

"I've been spending time around this Silverstone area for many years of my life, and I know a lot of families and friends around here, so it's great to make the first pole here," said Kovalainen, whose previous best in qualifying was second place in Turkey in May.