Hamilton keeps Rosberg off pole for crucial Brazilian GP

Three-time world champion Lewis Hamilton enhanced his hopes of taking the title fight down to the wire as he fended off his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg to take the pole position for this weekend's crucial Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo.

The Briton beat current world championship leader Rosberg by a 10th of a second to grab his second pole in Brazil and the 60th of his career.

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen finished third fastest ahead of Max Verstappen of Red Bull and team-mate Sebastian Vettel.

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo was sixth, with Romain Grosjean making an impressive seventh-place finish for Haas, formula1.com reported.

The Force India pair of Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez along with McLaren's Fernando Alonso completed the top ten.

Hamilton, who is currently 19-point behind Rosberg, will have to win Sunday's Formula One race to keep alive his hopes of defending the title.

Meanwhile, Rosberg could win his first championship title with a victory in Brazil but the German was also well aware that a second or a third place in last two races would suffice.