McLaren racing driver Lewis Hamilton ended Red Bull's run of 16 pole positions in a row with the fastest lap in qualifying for the Korean Formula One Grand Prix.
The pole was McLaren's first since Canada in June last year, 27 races ago, and came in their 700th grand prix.
Red Bull's double world champion Sebastian Vettel qualified second, with McLaren's Jenson Button third.
McLaren have already lost out in the drivers' championship, with Germany's Vettel becoming the sport's youngest double champion at Suzuka while his Red Bull team moved closer to the constructors' crown.
Red Bull will clinch that for the second year in a row if McLaren, who have not won the team title since 1998, fail to score more points than them in Yeongam.
The champions remain mere newcomers, however, in comparison to McLaren, who have been around longer than any team other than Ferrari.
