Mercedes drivers Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton have claimed that the rainy conditions during the latter stages of this morning's qualifying session cost them the chance of claiming pole position in Malaysia.

Both were in contention before the rain fell, but once the track became saturated, neither driver opted to alter their tyre strategy.

As a result, Hamilton will begin tomorrow's race fourth on the grid, while Rosberg could only manage sixth.

"It was really a pity. I was feeling very comfortable in the dry and was definitely the fastest guy out there. I had the best car out of there of everybody, so that was nice to see," Rosberg told Sky Sports News.

"Then unfortunately the rain came, but still, I was like 'okay, no problem I can still go fast', I just messed up the strategy. We stayed out there, when others came in for a new set, and I had damaged tyres."

His teammate Hamilton added: "Of course putting new tyres on was the way to go. Our strategy was to stay out. We thought it would dry up more and it would work in our favour, but it didn't.

"I want to be pole so initially when you get out of the car of course you don't think you're happy, I was working to get pole position as we were as a team."

Pole eventually went to three-time world champion Sebastian Vettel.