Brazilian Rubens Barrichello has seized pole position for his home Brazilian grand prix in a nightmare scenario for championship leading Brawn team-mate Jenson Button.
Britain's Button, 14 points clear of the Sao Paulo native with just two races remaining, qualified only 14th in a rain-delayed qualifying that ranked as one of Formula One's longest.
The third man in the title battle, Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, will start in 16th place.
Barrichello timed his first pole of the season, and first since the 2004 Brazilian Grand Prix, to perfection and is now well-placed to take the title battle down to the wire in Abu Dhabi.
Australian Red Bull driver Mark Webber will share the front row with Barrichello.
