Vettel frustrated to miss front row

The Red Bull driver, who lies third in the world championship following his British Grand Prix win a fortnight ago, was 0.250 seconds slower than his pole-sitting team-mate Mark Webber.

And the home hero said only he was to blame for the result.

"I'm a bit frustrated, but I blame myself for it," said Vettel. "It was possible to do better, but my last lap was not so magnificent, so I wasn't even on the front row. Today it was very tight though, so it was possible."

Vettel, who has taken two of his three grand prix wins in wet conditions, thinks rain will be the course of the day during the race, and hopes he will be the one to capitalise best in the conditions as he strives to close the 25-point gap to series leader Jenson Button.

"Who knows what will happen tomorrow. The weather is very unpredictable; wet, dry, wet, dry, something in between maybe. And the one who does the right thing at the right time will be ahead.

"Who knows what will happen. It will be very difficult, but very exciting."