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Rare praise from Webber as Vettel matches pole record

Global Motorsport Media

Pole winner Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing

Pole winner Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing

XPB Images

Even the ultra-competitive Mark Webber could not resist a piece of high praise for his teammate under the floodlights in Abu Dhabi.

Minutes earlier, world champion Vettel had captured his fourteenth pole of the season; an achievement equalling Nigel Mansell's record set in 1992 in a car also designed by Adrian Newey.

Pole winner Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing
Pole winner Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: xpb.cc

Red Bull rang in the news by jokingly calling the 24-year-old German 'Mr Mansell' on the radio.

"He (Mansell) obviously took two races less to achieve the same but still, it's something very special. It's a great feeling, for sure," said Vettel.

The Abu Dhabi pole also matches Juan Manuel Fangio's career tally of 29 front-of-the-grid starts.

Webber, whose best Q3 time was almost four tenths shy of Vettel's pole, is quoted by AFP: "Sometimes you see Seb's lap and you go 'wow I can't do that'".

Another goal for Vettel before leaving Abu Dhabi is to meet Paul McCartney, a famous member of the German's favourite band The Beatles.

You see Seb's lap and you go 'wow I can't do that!'

Mark Webber

"I haven't seen him but I think he is also here on Sunday so I hope to ask him if he minds having a photo with me," he told F1's official website.

But that might have to take place after a tough fight for victory, with fellow front row-sitter Lewis Hamilton determined to have a good race.

"I remember into turn one last year, I brake early and let him (Vettel) go," said the McLaren driver after qualifying. "I don't plan to do that tomorrow."

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