SEPANG, Malaysia -- Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton took pole position for the Malaysian Grand Prix on Saturday to tie the record for most qualifying wins by a British driver in Formula One. Tropical rains delayed the start of qualifying for 50 minutes, but even the wet track at the Sepang International Circuit could not prevent Mercedes continuing the dominance it had shown all weekend as Hamilton made it back-to-back poles to start the new season. Red Bulls Sebastian Vettel came close, but finished five hundredths of a second behind Hamilton and just in front of Mercedes Nico Rosberg, who qualified third. Hamiltons pole was the 33rd of his career, bringing him level with former world champion Jim Clark for the most by any British driver. It also puts him in an ideal position to make up for his early retirement from the season opener in Australia due to an engine misfire. "It was very, very tricky out there, particularly at the end -- it was almost impossible to see on the last lap," Hamilton said. Ferraris Fernando Alonso recovered from a crash that broke his front suspension in the second session of qualifying and will start from fourth on the grid. His teammate Kimi Raikkonen qualified sixth, behind Red Bulls Daniel Ricciardo. Force Indias Nico Hulkenberg, McLaren rookie Kevin Magnussen, Toro Rossos Jean-Eric Vergne and McLarens Jenson Button rounded out the top 10. There was standing water on the track from a pre-qualifying downpour, and lighter rain continued throughout the sessions to make things difficult for all drivers, who switched back and forth between the intermediate and full-wet tires as they tried to find the right setup for the conditions. The first session of qualifying was held up after Caterhams Marcus Ericsson went off the track, into a wall, through a brake marker and back onto the track where he was almost hit by Saubers Esteban Gutierrez. There was also a red flag in the second qualifying session, when Toro Rosso rookie Daniil Kvyat tried to pass Alonso on the inside of a corner but collided with the Ferrari, leaving debris on the track. Cheap Mariners Jerseys China . It was a day that saw England slump off a World Cup field once again battered and bruised. This time there was no red card to wonder about, no goalkeeping error or individual mistake. They were thoroughly beaten by something they have nothing of – genuine world class ability. Cheap Randy Johnson Jersey . Despite 11-1 records, theyre out and Big Ten winner Ohio State is into the national semifinals. http://www.cheapmarinersjerseys.com/. Its the second straight year he has decided not to play as he cuts back his schedule. Stricker was replaced in the field by Ryo Ishikawa of Japan. Cheap Jay Buhner Jersey . The Big Man finished 3-1 in Week 19, and sits at 53-24 on the season. Now Schultz is ready for more action. Cheap MLB Jerseys . A person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press the Steelers will part ways with the former Pro Bowler, a move that hardly serves as a surprise after fifth-year linebacker Jason Worilds agreed to accept a "transition player" tag last week. BALTIMORE -- The Orioles have acquired right-handed reliever Brad Brach from the San Diego Padres for a minor league pitcher. The 27-year-old Brach had a 3.19 ERA in 33 games last season with the Padres, striking out 31 in 31 innings. In three seasons with San Diego, Brach went 3-6 with a 3.70 ERA over 109 appearances. San Diego gets right-hander Devin Jones in Mondays trade. The 23-year-old Jones waas 5-7 with a 5.dddddddddddd64 ERA in 25 starts this year with Class A Frederick and Double-A Bowie. Jones was selected by Baltimore in the ninth round of the 2011 amateur draft out of Mississippi State. In another move Monday, the Orioles claimed infielder Cord Phelps off waivers from the Cleveland Indians. Phelps batted .159 in 113 at-bats with Cleveland over the last three seasons. ' ' '