McLaren’s Jenson Button turned in his best qualifying performance since his historic World Championship season with Brawn Grand Prix in 2009 to capture pole position for the 2012 Belgian Grand Prix.

Button headed Sauber’s Kamui Kobaysahi and Williams’ Pastor Maldonado, who was later demoted to 6th for impeding another driver. Kimi Raikkonen was 4th in the Lotus — which had visions of competing for pole — and defending World champion Sebastian Vettel was down in 11th in his Red Bull. Meanwhile, Michael Schumacher, Felipe Massa and Nico Rosberg all failed to advance into Q3. Yet the top eight drivers on the grid all posted times within 0.4s of each other, portending another unpredictable race in an altogether fascinating 2012 Formula One season. Complete qualifying results.