(CNN) -- Spain's Fernando Alonso stepped up his title challenge by claiming pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix with a commanding drive in final qualifying on Saturday.
The Ferrari star clocked a time of one minute 45.390 seconds under the lights on the Marina Bay circuit to push Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel into second place with Lewis Hamilton third fastest.
Hamilton's McLaren teammate and defending champion Jenson Button was fourth best, leaving current title leader Mark Webber in a disappointing fifth.
Vettel had looked the man to beat in the early practice sessions, but Alonso, who moved up to third in the championship standings behind Webber and Hamilton after winning the Italian Grand Prix, had other ideas.
It leaves the five drivers in contention for the title in the first five places on the gird with Rubens Barrichello in his Williams joining Webber on the third row.
The fourth row will be occupied by Nico Rosberg in his Mercedes ahead of Renault's Robert Kubica.
CNN
