MONZA, Italy, Sept 8, 2007 (AFP) - Spain´s double world Formula One champion Fernando Alonso took pole position for the Italian Grand Prix after dominating qualifying here on Saturday.

Alonso claimed the 17th pole position of his career to claim pole position for Sunday´s race, the 13th in the 17-leg world championship, just ahead of McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton.

Hamilton, who leads Alonso by just five points in the drivers standings following his blistering start to the season, finished second in qualifying just ahead of Brazilian Felipe Massa in a Ferrari.

The Italian team´s second driver, Kimi Raikkonen, is in fifth place on the grid just behind Nick Heidfeld in a BMW Sauber.