Lewis Hamilton won pole position for Sunday's Australian Grand Prix but Kimi Raikkonen must start from near the back of the grid in Melbourne.

McLaren's Hamilton was fastest in the second and third runs, while Raikkonen was forced out before the second session after his Ferrari pulled up.

BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica almost stole pole but a slight oversteer in his last lap saw him finish second fastest.

Hamilton's McLaren team-mate Heikki Kovalainen was third quickest.

Hamilton's pole is his seventh from just 18 starts and the 23-year-old was delighted with the result, and with the position of team-mate Kovalainen.

"Being in pole is a great feeling, but there's always improvements you can make," he said. "But to start the season, it couldn't be a better position for both of us.

The Finn sat in his car at the start of the second session, but climbed out of the cockpit after being told the assistance from his crew meant he was not allowed to continue.

Raikkonen will start the race from 16th place on the grid and admitted: "It's definitely not the best way to start the season.

"Clearly I'm disappointed. Now we must try to do our best to pick up some points tomorrow."

Better news for Ferrari was the performance of Felipe Massa, with the Brazilian clinching a place on the second row.

But there was disappointment for two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, back at Renault after a season at McLaren, who failed to reach the third stage of qualifying and will start in 12th place.

And Australia's Mark Webber spun his Red Bull into the gravel during the second run, bringing out the red flag. He will start at 15th.

Britain's David Coulthard grabbed an impressive eighth for Red Bull but compatriot Jenson Button missed out on a place in the third qualifying session and will line up his Honda in 13th place.

Final qualifying times for the Australian Grand Prix

1. Lewis Hamilton, Britain, McLaren-Mercedes, 1 minute, 26.714 seconds.
2. Robert Kubica, Poland, BMW-Sauber, 1:26.869.
3. Heikki Kovalainen, Finland, McLaren-Mercedes, 1:27.079.
4. Felipe Massa, Brazil, Ferrari, 1:27.178.
5. Nick Heidfeld, Germany, BMW-Sauber, 1:27. 236.
6. Jarno Trulli, Italy, Toyota, 1:28. 527.
7. Nico Rosberg, Germany, Williams, 1:28.687.
8. David Coulthard, Britain, Red Bull, 1:29.041.
9. Timo Glock, Germany, Toyota, 1:29.593.
10. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Toro Rosso, did not start.

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