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Hamilton Captures Pole

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The Associated Press

Published: October 6, 2007

SHANGHAI, China - Lewis Hamilton is looking to become the youngest driver to win the Formula One driving title. All he needs is a good showing at the Chinese Grand Prix.

Hard rain, however, is coming, and a typhoon is not far off.

The 22-year-old McLaren driver took the pole position Saturday in qualifying for today's race, with rival and teammate Fernando Alonso finishing fourth.

'We are in the best position to start the race,' Hamilton said. 'I feel very optimistic about it.'

He has 107 points and a 12-point lead over Alonso. Hamilton will become the first rookie to clinch the title if he finishes ahead of Alonso today or maintains at least an 11-point margin with only the Brazilian Grand Prix to go.

There is a 100 percent chance of rain today, according to the local forecast. Thunderstorms are predicted, with a typhoon hitting Taiwan late Saturday. If it stays on its current path, the eye of the storm was expected to strike land about 200 miles south of Shanghai late today.

Hamilton had a time of 1 minute, 35.908 seconds on the 3.4-mile Shanghai International circuit, and barely six-tenths of a second separated the top four.

TRUCKS: Todd Bodine barely held off Rick Crawford and Johnny Benson in a three-wide finish in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

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