NUERBURGRING, Germany— Red Bull’s Mark Webber earned the pole position for Formula One’s German Grand Prix ahead of Brawn GP’s Rubens Barrichello on Saturday.

Webber secured his first career pole with a fastest lap of 1 minute, 32.230 seconds around a slippery Nuerburgring circuit.

Overall F1 leader Jenson Button, who has won six of eight races this season, will start third ahead of local favorite Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull, who is the only other driver with victories this year.

Webber is still seeking his first win, competing in his 132nd race.

“I’m in a fantastic position to do it,” the Australian said. “A nice, boring Grand Prix would be fantastic for me.”

That is unlikely with rain expected for today’s 60-lap race. Cool conditions with temperatures around 54 degrees will also make it difficult for drivers to keep their cars on track with the designated Bridgestone tires lacking grip.

“It’s definitely not the right tire we need for this track temperature,” Webber said. “No one envisioned” it would be this cold.

The race could offer the leading cars a chance to chip into Button’s overall lead. Button has 64 points, while Barrichello has 41, Vettel 39 and Webber 35z.

“If it is a tricky race as it was a tricky qualifying, then you just have to be there at the end of the race,” said Barrichello.

Car upgrades put McLaren back in contention as defending F1 champion Lewis Hamilton starts fifth ahead of teammate Heikki Kovalainen.