Vettel Storms To Brazilian Pole In delayed session

Sebastian Vettel mastered the tricky conditions at Interlagos to take a dominant pole position in qualifying for the Brazilian Grand Prix, ahead of...

Sebastian Vettel mastered the tricky conditions at Interlagos to take a dominant pole position in qualifying for the Brazilian Grand Prix, ahead of Nico Rosberg and Fernando Alonso.

It is the 45th pole of his career, the ninth of 2013 and puts himself in the perfect position to equal Michael Schumacher’s thirteen Grand Prix victories in one season.

The session was run in treacherous conditions, initially allowing for use of the intermediate tyre only for heavy rain to fall at the climax of Q2. That put a halt to proceedings and a half an hour delay followed.

Up until that point it looked to be a battle between the Red Bull and Mercedes pairings. As the final phase of qualifying began in extreme wet conditions, Vettel held provisional pole but a clearing in the weather saw the standing water quickly cleared.

A quick switch to intermediates saw immediate improvements, and a controlled lap by Vettel saw him take pole by 7/10ths of a second over his compatriot.

Rosberg has been on fine form this weekend, revelling in the wet weather. But whether it be bravery or car performance he could not challenge Vettel. By taking second, with team-mate Lewis Hamilton fifth, the Mercedes team are in the correct position to clinch second in the Constructors’ Championship tomorrow.

Fernando Alonso was the surprise of the session after seemingly struggling all weekend. But a brave lap sees him start on the second row alongside his friend and out-going Red Bull driver Mark Webber.

Romain Grosjean will join Hamilton on the third row for Lotus, who are in the hunt for third place in the Constructors’ Championship.

The Toro Rosso pairing of Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne put in a good performance to firstly make the final session and then beat Felipe Massa and Nico Hulkenberg in the shoot-out.

The rain eased in between this morning’s final Free Practice session, allowing for intermediate tyres from the outset of qualifying. But with the unpredictable conditions continuing to threaten all cars were promptly on track and making up for the lack of running so far this weekend.

Mid-way through the session the rain returned and put pressure upon those that were yet to set a competitive time. Webber sat in 18th place until a brave lap took him to ninth and ensured his place in the next phase of qualifying.

McLaren completed qualifying in 2013 as poorly as has been the case throughout the year. Jenson Button won this race last year - an indicator of how poor this year has been. Today they qualified in 14th and 15th places, with Perez beating Button for the final time in a McLaren to make it 10-9 in the Mexicans favour in qualifying this year.

But Perez will not be in favour in the McLaren garage after losing control on the exit of turn five and wiping three corners off his wagon. His Formula One career is on the line and a top ten in qualifying would have heightened his appeal.

BRAZILIAN GRAND PRIX, Interlagos, Qualifying

1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1m26.479s

2. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m27.102s +0.623s

3. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m27.539s +1.060s

4. Mark Webber Red Bull 1m27.572s +1.093s

5. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1m27.677s +1.198s

6. Romain Grosjean Lotus 1m27.737s +1.258s

7. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso 1m28.052s +1.573s

8. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso 1m28.081s +1.602s

9. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m28.109s +1.630s

10. Nico Hulkenberg Sauber 1m29.582s +3.103s

11. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus 1m27.456s +1.295s