Rain dents Hamilton's hopes

Updated 15.19 Sat Sep 13 2008

Keywords: Formula One, Lewis Hamilton

McLaren's Formula One championship leader Lewis Hamilton will start the Italian Grand Prix in 15th place after failing to make the final session of a rain-hit qualifying.

The 23-year-old Briton was the slowest driver in the second of the three qualifying sessions with the rain falling increasingly heavily and preventing him from improving his lap time.

His closest title rival, Ferrari's Felipe Massa, just sneaked into the final session for his team's home race but could only manage to secure sixth place

His closest title rival, Ferrari's Felipe Massa, just sneaked into the final session for his team's home race but could only manage to secure sixth place.

But it was joy for Toro Rosso driver, Sebastian Vettel who will be in pole position for the first time in his career as the rain-battered Monza circuit turned qualifying into a lottery.

Hamilton leads the Brazilian Massa by two points with five races remaining.