Italian Giancarlo Fisichella handed his Force India Formula One team an astonishing first pole position at the Belgian Grand Prix today.

The 36-year-old took his first pole since Malaysia 2006, when he was at then-frontrunners Renault, to put a team that has yet to score a point in 29 races at the front of the starting grid.

It was only the fourth pole of his career.

Toyota's Jarno Trulli made it an all-Italian front row, for the first time since Australia 2005, with Germany's Nick Heidfeld third for BMW-Sauber.

Championship leader Jenson Button failed to make it into the top 10 for the first time this season and will start in 14th place with a fight on his hands to come away with any points tomorrow.

Brawn GP team mate and closest title rival Rubens Barrichello, who is 18 points adrift with six races remaining, qualified fourth.

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