Vettelica show begins
World champ on P1 for the 13th time in 2011 as Red Bull set record for most poles
Not so long ago the third qualifying session,which decides the first 10 places on the grid for the race,used to be the single most engrossing part of a Formula One Grand Prix,with the drivers pushing their cars to the limit and beyond. A flying lap here,after all,could give them a head start on Sundays.
This season,however,Q3s have often resembled a leisurely drive on a deserted highway,with the drivers going easy on the pedal,threatening to puff away on a cigarette any moment. Hyperbole aside,what used to be 10 minutes of adrenaline-filled,high-octane action has certainly become relatively uninspiring. And all thanks to a confluence of two diverse factors: old tyres and Sebastian Vettel.
The reigning double world champion from Germany has virtually owned the pole position this year,with 12 P1s in 16 starts before Saturday. As if that was not dissuading enough,FIA made it mandatory for the drivers making Q3 to use the same set of worn-out tyres for the race,a move that resulted in them not pushing their cars hard enough during the final segment.
And so,as the dust settled on the newly built Buddh International Circuit on Saturday,it was the same story,with Vettel making it 13 out of 17 – one shy of Nigel Mansells record for one season. It was also Red Bulls record 16th pole of the season,bettering the McLaren 1988,89 and Williams 92 and 93 mark.
Just how fast Vettel is was evident from the fact that he posted the quickest timings in the final practice session on Saturday morning,despite using the hard and slow prime tyres,while others used the softer and fast options. The only session that Vettel didnt dominate on qualifying day was the rather meaningless Q1. New circuit,new venue,tricky for all of us first time round in qualifying, said Vettel. I think we managed pretty well. It will be a very interesting race,its a challenging circuit and I am looking forward to tomorrows event, said Vettel.
McLarens Lewis Hamilton the next most consistent man in qualification this season was the second best,finishing 0.3sec behind the German. Over 60 laps,this gap would mean 20sec. At the fastest speed achievable on Buddh GP,320kmh,it would translate into roughly 1.7km ahead of Hamilton at the finish line. The point is,Vettel was fastest by a country mile.
To his credit,Hamilton did pip the second Red Bull driver,Mark Webber,to the post but the three-place grid penalty that he was handed on Friday meant that the Briton will start behind Webber,Ferrais Fernando Alonso and his McLaren teammate Jenson Button.
While Hamilton wore a satisfied look having split the two Red Bulls in Q3,it will be difficult for him and others to mount a serious challenge on Sunday. Vettel,who wrapped up the second world title in Japan with four races to go,has won 8 out of his 10 races after starting from pole.
His closest competition could be from within the team,especially since Red Bull have hinted at helping Webber notch up his first win of the season which roughly suggests team orders.
Force India also look in good position to score a few points after Adrian Sutil raced hard to go past Q2 as eighth fastest but relaxed thereafter in order to save the tyres,as did Toro Rossos Sebastien Buemi and Jamie Alguersuari.
Michael Schumacher finished a lowly 12th 11th on the grid in Q2. The Mercedes driver was nearly eliminated in the first session itself,but produced a flying lap to sneak in. It,however,cost Narain Karthikeyan two places on the grid after the stewards decided Hispanias Indian driver blocked the Germans way on Turn 10. The penalty meant he will now have to start in a rather familiar position on Sunday: at back of the grid.
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