Vettel hails 'fantastic' result for STR

Vettel used the mixed track conditions as a great performance equalizer, finishing the day in ninth position, although the young German will start from eighth position following a penalty to Nico Rosberg.

Vettel's performance allowed Toro Rosso to make it to Q3 for the first time in their history.

"Definitely a good day and a great experience for the team to get to Q3 for the first time," said Vettel. "Fantastic! It was difficult not having any free practice this morning and it was the first time for me driving this car in the rain this afternoon.

"It feels good and I looking forward to tomorrow now. I think if I had managed that final run, I could have improved by up to two places but we went for a last minute strategy change which meant I lost the last lap. When you start high up the grid you expect a better than usual finish position.

"Hopefully there will be some more rain which would help us and then we will see how far we can go."

Teammate Tonio Liuzzi had to settle for 15th position after his team took a set-up gamble that in the end benefited Vettel.

"This result is okay," said Liuzzi. "We took a gamble in terms of set-up strategy and I set off with quite low wing, as if for dry conditions, while we put Sebastian on wet settings. We knew it would be difficult in the wet, but we are hoping for a dry race tomorrow for which we now have the right settings.

"Overall it was a good qualifying as I don't think I could have got more out of my car. More rear wing definitely helped Sebastian make it to Q3. But I am really positive about tomorrow if it is dry, so the real situation for me could be better than it seems."