Button Takes Pole Position in Australian Grand Prix

Button claimed pole in Melbourne just ahead of team-mate Rubens Barrichello as Brawn GP became the first new team to lead off the grid with the first car they have built since Scotland's Jackie Stewart did so for Tyrrell at the Canadian GP in 1970.

Mclaren driver and world champion Lewis Hamilton qualified last after troubles with his gearbox and the team suffers with an underdeveloped car making a repeat of last year for Lewis looking very doubtful.

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The 29-year-old achieved his fourth career pole with a time of one minute 26.202 seconds, while in the second session - considered the clearest guide to the true pace of the cars - Barrichello and Button finished nearly three tenths ahead of the rest.

"I have to give all credit to the team, and [team principal] Ross [Brawn] and [chief executive officer] Nick [Fry] for making this happen.

"This is where we deserve to be after those tough times we've had. It's been a long time since we've had a competitive car - 2006 when I put it on pole here [in Australia for Honda].

"The thing is the people within the team believe, and that's all we care about, and they've proven it with this car.

"This is a great moment, not the most important of the weekend, but it's a good start, and there will be a lot of happy faces.

"Not just in our team, but for a lot of people who have travelled this journey with us, so it's good to be here."

Brawn's achievement represents the first time one team has claimed both front-row positions for the Australian GP since Barichello and his then Ferrari team-mate Michael Schumacher did so in 2004.

The Brazilian, who at 36 is the oldest man on the grid, backed up Button's positive sentiments but also pointed out the potential pitfalls after a winter of uncertainty as he looked ahead to the race.

"I want to emphasise what Jenson said, that it was a critical three or four months at home waiting for news," he said.

"Everyone who has touched this car needs credit because it is a really good car, so well done to the boys back in England as well.