Vettel sorry to miss out on top ten

The German finished as 13th fastest, but missed the cut to go into the final session by just a tenth of a second.

"That was very close and I think we can be happy to have both cars in Q2," said Vettel, who had shone in all practice sessions in France.

"I came very near to making Q3 and although I can't say I'm angry, when you get so close it is disappointing not to have done it.

"My laps were not perfect but they were pretty good. We struggled mainly in the second sector and were unable to improve on that.

"Overall, we can be happy with the way the car has run with its new package for the first time and I was quite surprised with its pace since the start of the weekend."

Sebastien Bourdais qualified right behind Vettel ahead of his first home grand prix tomorrow.

The Frenchman felt he could have gone a bit quicker, although he admitted he was not completely happy with his car's handling.

"It was very tight today with around half a dozen of us within a tenth and it's at times like these that the smallest thing can make the difference," he said. "I was thinking 12th place was doable but the track changed quite a bit as the temperature went up, which accentuated the oversteer we already had in the slow corners.

"I still have to get the car to my liking as, at the moment it does the two things I don't like: oversteer in the slow turns and understeer in the fast ones.

"As for tomorrow, if the conditions are stable, then not a lot happens at this race, as it is difficult to overtake and very difficult to stay in touch with the car in front through Estoril. The main thing will be to get to the finish."