Skip to main content

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Recommended for you

How Ogier’s scary crash opened up Finnish WRC history for Pajari

Feature
WRC
Rally Finland
How Ogier’s scary crash opened up Finnish WRC history for Pajari

What role does a MotoGP rider really play in bike development?

MotoGP
What role does a MotoGP rider really play in bike development?

Why Lindblad hasn’t felt the pressure in F1

Feature
Formula 1
Why Lindblad hasn’t felt the pressure in F1

Fairclough finally flies in GB3 at Silverstone as Bedrin maintains his advantage

National
Fairclough finally flies in GB3 at Silverstone as Bedrin maintains his advantage

Ogier commits to contest all remaining WRC rounds in bid for 10th title

WRC
Rally Finland
Ogier commits to contest all remaining WRC rounds in bid for 10th title

Every circuit to have hosted a WEC round since 2012

WEC
Every circuit to have hosted a WEC round since 2012

Early BMW Super Tourer and Polley Toyota recreation among Touring Car Rewind highlights

National
Early BMW Super Tourer and Polley Toyota recreation among Touring Car Rewind highlights

How WRC drivers reacted to FIA’s landmark promoter deal

WRC
Rally Finland
How WRC drivers reacted to FIA’s landmark promoter deal

Vettel celebrates 'unbelievable' pole

Sebastian Vettel celebrated an "unbelievable" pole position after emerging on top of the times in qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix

The German gave his Red Bull Racing team its first pole position after beating Renault rival Fernando Alonso to the quickest time by just two tenths of a second.

Vettel, who had scored his first pole at last year's Italian Grand Prix, was delighted to be on top after a difficult practice session this morning.

He admitted his car had problems during qualiying, which meant he tried to run as little as possible.

"It was always last minute: I had only one run in Q1 on the hard tyre and one run on Q2 with softs, and one with Q3 - as you see you don't need more," said Vettel.

"It was not easy. We had a problem wit the car so we tried to run as little as possible.

"The car is quick, as you can see. I had no concerns, but with only one lap if you run wide or make a mistake it means the end.

"I am very, very happy. Unbelievable we made it to pole position in the end. This morning was not ideal, but it seems the less I run in free practice the better in qualifying.

"I am happy with the team, all the mechanics are working really hard, they were working all night, so great job to them."

The youngest ever GP winner said he was relieved Alonso will not be using KERS this weekend, as it would have been an advantage at the start.

Vettel, however, is cautious ahead of tomorrow, as he is aware that it will be a long race.

"First of all I am happy that Fernando does not have KERS, here is a long straight so it can make a difference," said Vettel.

"We will see, it is a long race. We have to see how the car is after checking it in parc ferme. We check this for tomorrow but I'm confident the boys will do a very good job.

"It's a long race, 56 laps, and it's the best position to start but we have not scored any points yet. It is along way to go, anything can happen, we have to focus hard and see where we are tomorrow."

Previous article Horner hints at 'aggressive' strategy
Next article Webber surprised by RBR performance

Top Comments

Latest news