Rosberg beats Hamilton to Barcelona pole

Reigning champion Hamilton had taken four poles out of four so far this season, with title rival Rosberg trailing in his wake - but the 30-year-old had to settle for second best in Barcelona as he could not match the German's lap of one minute 24.681 seconds.

Sebastien Vettel was again the best of the rest and will start third for Ferrari as he was the only other man to get within a second of compatriot Rosberg.

Spanish Grand Prix Qualifying Times

1 Nico Rosberg (Ger) Mercedes GP 1min 24.681secs
2 Lewis Hamilton(Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:24.948
3 Sebastian Vettel(Ger) Ferrari 1:25.458
4 Valtteri Bottas(Fin) Williams 1:25.694
5 Carlos Sainz(Spa) Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:26.136
6 Max Verstappen(Ned) Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:26.249
7 Kimi Raikkonen(Fin) Ferrari 1:26.414
8 Daniil Kvyat(Rus) Red Bull 1:26.629
9 Felipe Massa(Bra) Williams 1:26.757
10 Daniel Ricciardo(Aus) Red Bull 1:26.770
11 Romain Grosjean(Fra) Lotus F1 Team 1:27.375
12 Pastor Maldonado(Ven) Lotus F1 Team 1:27.450
13 Fernando Alonso(Spa)McLaren 1:27.760
14 Jenson Button(Gbr)McLaren 1:27.854
15 Felipe Nasr(Bra)Sauber-Ferrari 1:28.005
16 Marcus Ericsson(Swe)Sauber-Ferrari 1:28.112
17 Nico Hulkenberg(Ger)Force India 1:28.365
18 Sergio Perez(Mex)Force India 1:28.442
19 Will Stevens(Gbr)Manor Marussia F1 1:31.200
20 Roberto Merhi(Spa) Manor Marussia F1 1:32.038