• Brazilian Grand Prix - Qualifying

Hulkenberg amazed by shock pole

Williams fits slicks to Nico Hulkenberg's car ahead of his pole run © Sutton Images

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• News:
• Hulkenberg takes shock pole by over a second
  

• Race:
• Brazilian Grand Prix

• Championship:
• FIA Formula One World Championship

• Drivers:
• Nico Hülkenberg

• Teams:
• Williams

Nico Hulkenberg was as stunned as his rivals to take pole position at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

The Williams driver made the most of drying conditions at Interlagos to hook up a superb lap on slick tyres and take pole by over second.

"It's amazing, I still can't believe that I've done it," he said. "A big, big thank you to the team for putting a good car together for qualifying. What a nice surprise for us to be on pole. I'm very, very happy obviously and just enjoying the moment."

Hulkenberg secured pole with his penultimate qualifying lap but then went over 0.9 seconds quicker on his final attempt. He said his main focus had been on not making any mistakes.

"My engineer told me I had one last lap but that I was good in the rankings already," he added. "I was just squeezing everything out of my car that I could, trying to do a very smooth lap and not to get on any wet patches and make any mistakes."

Hulkenberg is currently in negotiations to stay at Williams next year, with 2010 GP2 champion Pastor Maldonado tipped to take his place. He said he hopes the surprise result will help him hold onto his drive.

"This means a pay rise actually... only joking," he said. "The situation at Williams is very open, nothing is confirmed but I just try to keep focused on doing a good job, and so far it is working pretty well.

"If I do that and I don't make any silly mistakes, that is what I can do. Then it's up to team if they want to keep me, but I am in positive mood that we will have a successful conclusion to that story."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.