Mark Webber storms to surprise pole for Korean Grand Prix

Mark Webber has surprised many be storming to his 11th pole position of his career for tomorrow’s Korean Grand Prix, after beating team-mate Sebastian Vettel in the closing stages of the top ten shootout. The Australian driver will start tomorrow’s 55-lap race alongside Sebastian Vettel, with Lewis Hamilton set to start 3rd for McLaren.

The first part of qualifying started in chilly weather conditions at the Korea International Circuit, with the Caterham of Heikki Kovalainen once again becoming the first driver to take to the track. The Finn subsequently set the first timed lap of the session with a 01:42.028, before the Williams of Pastor Maldonado disposed of the Caterham with a much quicker 01:39.716. Championship leader Fernando Alonso wasted no time in asserting his authority over proceedings, with 01:39.543.

As more drivers took to the 5.615km circuit, Narain Karthikeyan narrowly avoided a huge collision with one of the Force India’s, after the HRT driver lost the rear-end of his car at high speed at the entry to turn three. Instead of making contact, Karthikeyan took full use of the run-off area and eventually rejoined the track. However, the Indian driver was unable to set a a timed lap after further brakes issues plagued his progress.

Whilst Karthikeyan struggled towards the back of the pack, the Ferrari of Felipe Massa stormed to the top with a 01:39.074. Kimi Raikkonen then returned to the top before the Red Bull of Sebastian Vettel silenced the opposition with a sensational 01:38.208.

The reigning Champion remained fastest as Q1 drew to a close, as Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton narrowly avoided dropping out of Q1 as the majority of the field opted for the super-soft tyre compound. Luckily for Hamilton in particular, Bruno Senna was unable to set a quick time at the end, allowing the Briton to progress in a lowly 17th position. Senna joined the regular Q1 victims of the two Caterhams, Marussias and HRTs in dropping out after the opening session.

The second qualifying segment began with the Sauber of Sergio Perez taking to the track first, and also setting the initial pace with a 01:38.981. The Mexican’s team-mate, Kamui Kobayashi, then went fastest before the Red Bull of Mark Webber rose to the top with a 01:38.220. Championship leader Fernando Alonso momentarily went fastest, before the ever-dominant Sebastian Vettel once again asserted his authority over proceedings with a 01:37.767.

With only several minutes remaining in the session, the entire field [except Sebastian Vettel] returned to the track to try and improve upon their respective times. However, the majority of the field’s times were practically ruined when the Toro Rosso of Daniel Ricciardo stopped on the track at turn 16. This brought out double-waved yellows, and forced many drivers to visibly slow throughout the final sector.

This caught out the McLaren of Jenson Button, who dropped out of the top ten and was unable to improve due to the yellow flags throughout the final sector. This saw the 2009 World Champion join Sergio Perez, Kamui Kobayashi, Paul di Resta, Pastor Maldonado, Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne in being eliminated after Q2.

As the all-important top ten shootout began, the general consensus within the paddock was that Sebastian Vettel was without a doubt the man to beat in the final ten minutes of qualifying. Nico Rosberg was the first driver to take to the track, however it was Felipe Massa who set the initial pace with a 01:38.010. The times quickly began to tumble at the top, as Championship leader Fernando Alonso momentarily went fastest before Sebastian Vettel assumed the top spot once again with a 01:37.316.

Once the drivers had pitted for fresh rubber, the top ten drivers once again took to the Korea International Circuit to try and somehow thwart the dominant Sebastian Vettel. As the checkered flag emerged and times came in, eyebrows were raised as Mark Webber stormed to the top with a superlative 01:37.242, which went unbeaten by the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and even Sebastian Vettel, who eventually managed 2nd alongside his Australian team-mate.

With the heavy-fuel pace possibly set to be a different story for tomorrow’s 55-lap race, it could well be yet another intriguing race. Mark Webber has become renowned for less-than-successful getaways at the start, and could find himself under pressure heading into turn one with the likes of Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso all breathing down his neck. Will Red Bull remain dominant in the race? Or can McLaren or Ferrari thwart the dominant Milton Keynes-based outfit during the 55-lap Korean Grand Prix.

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