ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton put in a stunning final lap in qualifying Saturday to claim the pole position for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Hamilton was trailing the Red Bull drivers entering his last lap, but then circled the new Yas Marina circuit in 1 minute, 40.948 seconds to beat Sebastian Vettel by more than six-tenths of a second.

"It was a smooth lap that kept getting better and better," Hamilton said. "I am very, very happy with that."

The pole is the 17th of Hamilton's career, putting him second among active drivers, one behind Fernando Alonso.

Vettel's teammate, Mark Webber, will start from third, and the Red Bull pair believe they may be the stronger team during Sunday's 55-lap race.

"Both of us were a little bit surprised by the gap," Vettel said. "We will see later when we get the strategies. I think it was the maximum he could do."

Just behind the Red Bulls were the Brawn GP cars of Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button. It was the first time both Brawns had been in the top five since the race in Valencia, Spain, indicating there was no easing off after having claimed the drivers' and constructors' championship.

In the third qualifying session "I had massive vibrations," said Button, who had looked to be Hamilton's main challenger for much of qualifying. "Every time I hit the brakes the steering wheel was shuddering."

The next three positions will be filled by Toyota driver Jarno Trulli and BMW Sauber teammates Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld, who are all expected to be starting next season with new teams.

McLaren's joy at Hamilton's pole was reduced marginally by the disappointment of Heikki Kovalainen qualifying 13th. The Finn had been the quickest in Friday practice but had a gearbox failure in the second session of qualifying.

Ferrari was underwhelming again, with Kimi Raikkonen just missing out on the third session and qualifying in 11th, while Giancarlo Fisichella qualified last, showing no indication of coming to grips with the Ferrari after his late-season switch.

Alonso qualified in 16th, setting himself a difficult task of scoring points in his final race for Renault.