ISTANBUL PARK, Turkey (CMC) — McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton was eyeing his first victory of the new Formula One season after he qualified second for today’s Turkish Grand Prix.

The 25-year-old, whose paternal grandparents hail from the Caribbean island of Grenada, clocked one minute, 26.433 seconds to ensure a share of the front row for Formula One’s seventh event of the season at the Istanbul Park circuit.

Red Bull’s Mark Webber, however, dominated Saturday’s final qualifying to claim his third straight pole on the grid and will start as favourite.

Hamilton, who has been plagued by a run of bad luck this season, said he was happy with his place on the grid was looking for an uneventful trip on Sunday.

“Tomorrow, I’m going to do everything I can to get a sensible start, get round the first corner and then challenge Mark, if I can. But I’m on the dirtier side of the track, so that may make it a bit harder for me,” Hamilton said.

“I think I’m happy with the balance of the car. I think we have a good opportunity tomorrow and it’s up to us to do a solid job, so that’s what we’re working for.”

Hamilton’s best finish this season has come in Shanghai where he finished second last month, and it was only his second podium following his third place in the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

He will be hard-pressed to get past the Australian Webber who will be chasing a hat-trick of wins after claiming the last two events in Barcelona and Monte Carlo respectively.

Webber lapped in 1:26.295 minutes to take top honours with Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel qualifying third in 1:26.760.

The second row will be completed by Hamilton’s teammate and defending champion Jenson Button who was fourth.