F1: Vettel Storms To India Pole

Formula 1

F1: Vettel Storms To India Pole

Sebastian Vettel will start first in Sunday's Indian GP...

Jared Turner | Posted October 27, 2012 New Delhi (IND)

Sebastian Vettel's perfect weekend at Buddh International Circuit continued in qualifying Saturday as the German captured pole for Sunday's Indian Grand Prix.

Vettel, who is seeking his fourth consecutive victory, was a heavy favorite to take pole after leading all three practices leading up to time trials.

Then, to no one's surprise, the points leader and reigning World Champion delivered when it counted as he led a 1-2 Red Bull sweep of qualifying over teammate Mark Webber.

"First of all, it was a tight session, especially in the end," said Vettel, who won last year's inaugural Indian GP. "I was very happy with the lap. A great weekend so far, and no problems with the car. The boys have been pushing really hard.

"We have to keep pushing, obviously. The best chance of doing well is to really focus on every single step, and now we look forward to the race."

Vettel's closest championship challenger, Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, qualified four spots down the grid in fifth. Vettel, however, can't breathe easy, as Alonso sits only six points out first after surrendering the lead two weeks ago in Korea where Vettel won and the Spaniard finished third.

The two drivers are both former World Champions, with two titles each, and this is not the first time they have battled one another for the championship.

Just two years ago, Vettel edged Alonso for the crown by four points with a season-ending victory in Abu Dhabi. Four races remain on the 2012 schedule — plenty of time for Alonso to catch up, or the lead to change hands multiple times.

So, Vettel demurred when asked after qualifying about the possibility of significantly padding his points lead over Alonso on Sunday.

"You know the races these days," said Vettel, who is seeking his third straight World Championship. "A lot of things can happen. I don't think that (Alonso's grid spot) means a lot."

Sebastian Vettel reacts after winning the pole in India. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Following Vettel (1:25:283) and Webber (1:25:327) in the decisive Q3 round were the McLarens of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.

But Webber was more than two tenths quicker than the leading McLaren.

"The lap itself wasn't too bad," Australian Webber said. "I did my best.

"I had no grip in the first sector. I was surprised to end up second, to be honest, so I'll take that."

Hamilton, who has struggled as of late, was pleased with his qualifying run.

"The team has done a great job this weekend trying to dial the setup in the car," said the 2008 World Champion. "We weren't quick enough to be ahead of the Red Bulls in qualifying but we can definitely challenge them in the race."

The Ferraris of Alonso and Felipe Massa will hold down Row 3 on Sunday's grid, with the rest of the top 10 consisting of Kimi Raikkonen, Sergio Perez, Pastor Maldonado and Nico Rosberg.

Notably absent from the top 10, and the 10-minute Q3 round, were the Lotus of Romain Grosjean (11th) and the Mercedes of seven-time World Champion MIchael Schumacher (14th).

SPEED coverage of the Indian GP begins Sunday at 5 a.m. ET.

Jared Turner is an Associate Editor for SPEED.com, covering NASCAR and Formula One, and is an Editor for TruckSeries.com. His professional motorsports writing career began in 2005.