Mexican GP: Sebastian Vettel 'tried too hard' on qualifying lap

The Ferrari racer hoped the dominant Mercedes of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton were beatable in qualifying at Mexico City, where the high-altitude has closed the leading cars up.

But in the end nobody could prevent another front row lockout for the constructors' champion, with Vettel getting closest in third.

"I tried to be a bit closer but in the end I wasn't," said Vettel.

"It was difficult, I tried everything. I was happy with my first lap, and on the second I just tried too hard.

"In the end they [Mercedes] were a sniff too quick.

"You can talk about a tenth here or there where you could have squeezed more.

"But I was missing four tenths in the end so the gap was too big."

Vettel joked to the Mercedes drivers that he hopes they will have another first corner falling-out following their altercation last weekend in the US GP, asking "Will you take each other out so I can go through?"

But pole-sitter Rosberg, who denied being motivated by anger this weekend, played down the chances of any repeat.

"It's no different, it will always be a battle," he said.

"What happened in the past is in the past, now we move forward."

Hamilton is optimistic of being able to attack into Turn 1 though, with the long start/finish straight offering plenty of time to snatch the lead.

"[Second] is one of the best spots to start as it's quite a long way down to Turn 1," he said.

"I'm happy with my spot. Nico has been quick this weekend, I just wasn't quick enough.

"We have quite a different set-up this weekend, it might not be perfect for qualifying but it'll be good for the race."