22 Jun 2014

Massa on pole as Williams celebrate Austrian sweep

6:55 am on 22 June 2014

Brazilian Felipe Massa celebrated his first Formula One pole position since 2008 as Williams stunned leaders Mercedes and swept the front row of the Austrian Grand Prix starting grid.

Finland's Valtteri Bottas qualified in second place for the Mercedes-powered former champions with championship leader Nico Rosberg only third fastest for the Mercedes factory team.

It was the first time this season that Mercedes had failed to take pole and tomorrow's race will be Williams's first start from the front of the grid since Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado in Spain in 2012.

Britain's Lewis Hamilton, Rosberg's team mate and closest championship rival who is 22 points behind the German after seven races, had a nightmare session.

The 2008 world champion will have to fight back from ninth place after his first flying lap of the revamped Red Bull Ring was disallowed because he exceeded track limits and he then spun on his final attempt.