Vettel delighted to be back on pole

The Red Bull driver had been outqualified by his team-mate Mark Webber in the last four races, but bounced back in today's session to outpace the Australian.

It was the third pole of the season for Vettel and the ninth of his career.

The German driver finished over a tenth of a second ahead of Webber, as Red Bull secured its eighth pole position in nine races.

"It is good. The last couple of races we didn't have a good run on Saturday, so it is good," said Vettel. "These circuits, Canada and here in Valencia, usually shouldn't be our strongest so it's good to put the car on pole and our pace looks good.

"It was a tight qualifying session in the end. In the first run I had a huge moment in the first sector and I knew I had to put everything in the second run, and it worked.

"I am happy for today. It was a very tough one here, especially as we reintroduced the F-duct and a lot of other things of the car, and some mechanics had just one-hour sleep."

Vettel, who will race with the F-duct for the first time this season, said he was feeling the difference when using it and reckons it will be a significant asset for the race.

"I think it is isn't that big probably, but we feel the difference," he said. "You see how much they [McLaren] gain with it. We are learning every lap and every run.

"Yesterday we were not quite happy but we did another step overnight. We were in front of the monitors to see how to fine tune it and make it better. Also due to that we are in a good position for tomorrow's race."