Vettel plays down Red Bull dominance

The Milton Keynes team had been on top in every practice session at Silverstone, and Vettel secured the team's ninth pole in ten races after beating team-mate Mark Webber.

The German admitted he was not surprised by the impressive pace of his car, but claimed it was not such an easy day for him.

"I'm not surprised as that was the target," said Vettel. "It was obviously not easy. Q1 was easy, Q2 was a bit too slow. So for third qualifying we didn't touch the car.

"I had a bit too much oversteer in the second part, I tried to help it with the things you can change onboard, tried to be a bit more conservative and of course you have to push. I tried to be smooth - and it worked very well."

He added: "I had two good laps, around here is incredible - the corners we have here, if we compare it to other tracks, the combinations, the first sector, Copse, Maggotts, Becketts... our car works quite well so you can enjoy even more.

"All in all a fantastic day, a very good qualifying session with a good end. I'm happy to be on pole and I think that is the key for tomorrow's race."

Vettel, winner of the previous race in Valencia, praised his car's performance after yet another pole position for Red Bull.

"It is just quick everywhere! We were very competitive in Valencia and also here. Our car likes corners where you need downforce so that will always help us. Compared to last year we have made a step forward all around."