Jenson Button still expects to have fun tomorrow despite suffering bad vibrations that scuppered his bid to be the first man on pole for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Button has been stress-free and relaxed these past two days after finally laying his hands on the Formula One world title in Brazil a fortnight ago.

Around the £800m splendour of the Yas Marina circuit, Button has rediscovered the form that made him a runaway success at the start of the year.

It was ultimately Lewis Hamilton who was quickest at the end of all three sessions to claim the 17th pole of his 52-race career.

Button was second to Hamilton in Q1, and third in Q2, and hopes were high of an all-British front row for the first time since Damon Hill pipped David Coulthard in Adelaide in 1995.

Button's Brawn GP let him down at the death, however, as he could only grab fifth on the grid, serving as a massive disappointment.

"Qualifying was really good. Then in Q3 I had massive vibrations and I don't know why.

"As soon as I hit the brakes there was shuddering on the steering wheel which I hope we can sort out because that would be a nightmare in the race.

"If we can sort it we can still have a fun race, especially challenging the Red Bulls and Rubens (Barrichello), but Lewis, I'm not sure we can really challenge him.

"It's so annoying being fifth on the grid because I've had a great weekend so far."

Hamilton has both Red Bulls behind him as Mark Webber, winner last time out in Brazil, starts third and will serve as a buffer between Sebastian Vettel and Brawn's Rubens Barrichello.

Both men have designs on finishing second in the drivers' standings to Button, with the German two points clear of the Brazilian.

Hamilton's team-mate Heikki Kovalainen, meanwhile, will start 18th as he requires a gearbox change that incurs a five-place penalty.