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McLaren-Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton pit stops during final practice at the British Grand Prix, Silverstone

But the Briton could only managed fifth in the final practice as Renault's Fernando Alonso led the way

Felipe Massa struggled all morning and could only secure ninth on the grid once qualifying kicked in

And it's not the best of days for Coulthard either as he qualifies in 11th in his final British GP

But for Kovalainen, it's all too easy, as the Finn continues where he left off in practice with some blistering times in qualifying

It's not quite so simple for Kimi Raikkonen or the BMW of Robert Kubica, the former leaving it late to secure third on the grid

Pole goes to Kovalainen - his first ever in F1 - after a sensational flying lap in Q3 and he celebrates by saluting the Silverstone crowd

Webber, Kovalainen and Raikkonen will occupy the front three

Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, talks tactics with McLaren boss Ron Dennis after he can only manage fourth on the grid at Silverstone

After which, Hamilton is left to face the press, where he admits he is at a loss to explain why he could not keep pace with Kovalainen