Lorenzo takes pole in Malaysia with record-breaking lap
October 20, 2012 -- Updated 2322 GMT (0722 HKT)
Spain's Jorge Lorenzo beat Valentino Rossi's lap record at the Sepang International Circuit in qualifying.
- Spain's Jorge Lorenzo on pole for Sunday's Malaysian MotoGP after flying lap at Sepang Circuit
- Nearest championship rival Dani Pedrosa will start race in second with Andrea Dovizioso third
- Lorenzo currently 28 points ahead of his compatriot with three races remaining
(CNN) -- Championship leader Jorge Lorenzo grabbed pole position for Sunday's Malaysian MotoGP with a record-breaking lap in qualifying at the Sepang International Circuit on Saturday.
The Yamaha rider clocked a time of two minutes 00.334 seconds towards the end of the one-hour qualifying session, breaking the circuit record (two minutes 00.518 seconds) set by Italy's Valentino Rossi three seasons ago.
"I managed to set a new lap time in the last lap with new tyres. Pole position is a very good position but we need to set-up the bike [for Sunday]," the Spaniard said.
World mourns Simoncelli death
Gallery: Marco Simoncelli remembered
His compatriot Dani Pedrosa will start Sunday's race from second with Italy's Andrea Dovizioso third.
Reigning champion Casey Stoner from Australia finished fourth with Britain's Cal Crutchlow one place further back. America's Ben Spies took sixth place on the grid.
Lorenzo is currently 28 points ahead of Honda's Pedrosa who has closed the gap on the championship leader in recent weeks, winning four of the last five races.
Casey Stoner, who returned to action last weekend after recovering from an ankle injury sustained at the Indianapolis MotoGP in August, is third in the overall standings 113 points behind Lorenzo.
Part of complete coverage on
Track the new Formula One season as it progresses, circuit by circuit, race by race.
March 14, 2013 -- Updated 1324 GMT (2124 HKT)
Can the new F1 season live up to last year's standards? Find out the need-to-know stories for 2013.
March 14, 2013 -- Updated 1148 GMT (1948 HKT)
CNN looks ahead to the Australian Grand Prix, the first F1 race of the 2013 season.
February 28, 2013 -- Updated 1824 GMT (0224 HKT)
Adrian Sutil will be Force India's second driver for the 2013 Formula One season, pledging to make the most of his "second chance".
March 2, 2013 -- Updated 0152 GMT (0952 HKT)
Christmas Abbott, 5'3 and 115 pounds, is the first woman to join a NASCAR pit crew team.
February 12, 2013 -- Updated 0035 GMT (0835 HKT)
The first race in Melbourne is just around the corner and Formula 1 teams are gearing up for a season which promises to be as technical as it is tactical.
March 1, 2013 -- Updated 1219 GMT (2019 HKT)
When the new Formula 1 season gets underway in March, for the first time there will be a woman running a team's entire operations from track to boardroom.
January 21, 2013 -- Updated 1222 GMT (2022 HKT)
The Dakar Rally is one of the world's most dangerous motorsport races, and this year's edition has already been marred by tragic deaths.
January 31, 2013 -- Updated 1920 GMT (0320 HKT)
The famous circuit of Nurburgring is confirmed Thursday as the venue for the 2013 German Grand Prix after reaching a deal with F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone.
November 27, 2012 -- Updated 1536 GMT (2336 HKT)
It did not take very long for the inevitable question to be asked -- just how good a driver is Sebastian Vettel?
January 24, 2013 -- Updated 1449 GMT (2249 HKT)
Changes to tires will make Formula 1 racing faster with more overtaking in 2013, according to the sport's official tire supplier Pirelli.
November 26, 2012 -- Updated 0935 GMT (1735 HKT)
Michael Schumacher, Alain Prost, and contemporary pacesetters Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso were all contenders.
November 23, 2012 -- Updated 1332 GMT (2132 HKT)
Who is the greatest F1 driver of all time? Past and present drivers give their verdict on the contenders to CNN.
CNN has asked Formula One stars past and present, "Who is the best driver of all time?" Now we want to hear from you.
November 20, 2012 -- Updated 0948 GMT (1748 HKT)
A triumphant Lewis Hamilton called Sunday's United States Grand Prix the best race of 2012 but for many it was more important than that -- it was Formula One being reborn in the USA.
CNN's Ben Wyatt says Sebastian Vettel or Fernando Alonso will seal their place in F1 history in Brazil this weekend.
November 25, 2012 -- Updated 1941 GMT (0341 HKT)
The F1 title race will be fought over 20 races this season. Keep track of the latest standings in the drivers' and manufacturers' championships.
November 16, 2012 -- Updated 1520 GMT (2320 HKT)
Mario Andretti says the key to rekindling F1 in the U.S. is a buzzword that has been flying around Washington faster than a Ferrari -- stability.
Today's five most popular stories