Hamilton back in driving seat - pole confirms return to form

Two weeks is a long time in the hectic life of Lewis Hamilton, and this morning the McLaren star's ride at the top of the world championship looks serene.

Pacesetter: Lewis Hamilton

A fortnight ago, Hamilton's overenthusiasm in final qualifying cost him pole position in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone and a public ticking-off by his race engineer. After two poor Grands Prix, including a pit-lane shunt into Kimi Raikkonen, questions were being asked about his off-track lifestyle, while the line of critics was growing longer by the race.

Then the heavens opened and Hamilton reminded us all of his brilliance in the rain to win the British Grand Prix.

Two weeks on and the 23-year-old has so far not put a foot wrong at Hockenheim, following his fastest lap in Friday's free practice by nipping in to steal pole for today's German Grand Prix.

With showers predicted today, Hamilton's ninth career pole, and third this season, leaves him handily placed, especially as his closest rivals, Felipe Massa and Raikkonen, are in second and sixth place on the grid respectively. Even worse for his rivals, Hamilton reckons he is getting better and better in his second season in Formula One.

'I knew I had it in me,' he said. 'There's nothing I need to improve on this weekend, just make sure we finish the job tomorrow when the points are scored. I'm confident we can. 'Taking points off the other drivers is important and in the past few weeks I've collected all the bits that were missing, I've enjoyed time with my family, while I and the car have become more competitive.

I've also always enjoyed racing in the rain and I've always won in wet conditions right back to karting days. I've had some great races when it's been raining, so if it happens in the race I have no problem.'

His car appears to have the edge, too, on his closest rivals from Ferrari, and McLaren boss Ron Dennis is promising more. 'We took a good technical step in France and saw the benefits at Silverstone,' he said. 'We'll be competitive here and expect to make more advances for the Hungarian Grand Prix.'

Not even rumours that one of McLaren's main sponsors, Spanish bank Santander, may be moving to Ferrari in 2010 and taking Hamilton with them could disturb the driver's equilibrium. 'I'm happy at McLaren, where I see myself staying for a long time,' said Hamilton, with Dennis adding: 'Our dialogue with Santander is inconsistent with that rumour.'

Hamilton left it late in qualifying, heading out for his flying lap with less than 40 seconds left. Massa was in pole position at the time. But the Briton squeezed home in front by under twotenths of a second from the Brazilian, with McLaren team-mate Heikki Kovalainen following up his Silverstone pole with third.

Britain's David Coulthard will start 10th, while Jenson Button is four places back. McLaren, kicked out of the constructors' championship last year following a spying scandal, lie third behind leaders Ferrari and BMWSauber, only 10 points behind second.