World champion Sebastien Vettel stormed to pole position for the Malaysian Grand Prix in a thrilling qualifying session yesterday as Red Bull’s misfiring power-boost system finally came good.
The German ace narrowly beat McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton by just over one-tenth of a second in the session’s dying moments, with Vettel’s Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber third and Jenson Button (McLaren) fourth.
Hamilton had set the best time with some audacious driving, before Vettel – who claimed last month’s season-opener from pole – snatched top spot.
Afterwards Vettel credited the Kinetic Energy Regeneration System (KERS), or power-boost, which had been a cause of concern after Red Bull opted not to use it at the last race in Melbourne.
“We got criticism last time for not running it (KERS) and we came here and solved most of our problems,” said Vettel, 23.
“I think if we would not have had it today then we would not be here. It is a great achievement, compliments to those guys (in the team).”
The all-Red Bull and McLaren front four promises a fascinating start at the steamy Sepang Circuit today, where Vettel looks likely to face a strong challenge from Webber and McLaren’s resurgent duo.
Recent weeks have seen suggestions of tension between the two teams, but their rivalry on the track has now turned into a full-on battle for success led by the exciting Vettel and Hamilton.
Hamilton, who has not rebuffed talk that he could become Vettel’s team-mate at Red Bull, said he was not downcast despite being outshone by Vettel’s last-gasp show of brilliance.
“I don’t think we can be disappointed. Going into the last race, we did a fantastic job to be up there on the Red Bulls. I’m proud to be getting some new parts this weekend, we can be happy with it,” Hamilton said.
Fernando Alonso qualified fifth for Ferrari ahead of Germany’s Nick Heidfeld. Felipe Massa, in the second Ferrari, was seventh and Vitaly Petrov was eighth for Renault.
Nico Rosberg was ninth for Mercedes and Kamui Kobayashi 10th for Sauber.
Today’s grid at Sepang circuit...
1. Sebastien Vettel (Red Bull) - 1:34.870
2. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) - 1:34.974
3. Mark Webber (Red Bull) - 1:35.179
4. Jenson Button (McLaren) - 1:35.200
5. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) - 1:35.802
6. Nick Heidfeld (Lotus-Renault) - 1:36.124
7. Felipe Massa (Ferrari) - 1:36.251
8. Vitaly Petrov (Lotus-Renault) - 1:36.324
9. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) - 1:36.809
10. Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber) - 1:36.820
11. Michael Schumacher (Mercedes) - 1:37.035
12. Sebastien Buemi (STR-Ferrari) - 1:37.160
13. Jaime Alguersuari (STR-Ferrari) - 1:37.347
14. Paul di Resta (Force India-Mercedes) - 1:37.370
15. Rubens Barrichello (Williams-Cosworth) - 1:37.496
16. Sergio Perez (Sauber-Ferrari) - 1:37.528
17. Adrian Sutil (Force India-Mercedes) - 1:37.593
18. Pastor Maldonado (Williams-Cosworth) - 1:38.276
19. Heikki Kovalainen (Lotus-Renault) - 1:38.645
20. Jarno Trulli (Lotus-Renault) - 1:38.791
21. Timo Glock (Virgin-Cosworth) - 1:40.648
22. Jerome d’Ambrosio (Virgin-Cosworth) - 1:41.001
23. Vitantonio Liuzzi (HRT-Cosworth) - 1:41.549
24. Narain Karthikeyan (HRT-Cosworth) - 1:42.574