Sebastian Vettel takes pole as Red Bull lock-out front row at Suzuka

Sebastian Vettel has taken his 34th career pole at Suzuka, after a dominant qualifying session for tomorrow’s Japanese Grand Prix. The reigning World Champion will be joined by Mark Webber on the front row of the grid, after Red Bull dominated qualifying. Jenson Button qualified 3rd, but will incur a five-place grid penalty due to a gearbox change.

The Force India of Paul di Resta was the first driver to take to the track as the all-important qualifying session got underway, with many drivers immediately leaving the pits to take to the track. The Scot set the initial pace with a 01:33.661, before the Lotus duo of Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean momentarily shared the top spot. As Sergio Perez skipped through the gravel at turn seven, the Ferrari of Felipe Massa stormed to the top with a 01:32.946.

However, the Ferrari driver’s reign at the top was short-lived, as the reigning World Champion of Sebastian Vettel flew to the top with a brilliant 01:32.608. As the opening session of qualifying progressed, many drivers further down the order opted for the softer Pirelli tyre compound. Kimi Raikkonen returned to the top, before the likes of Sergio Perez, Kamui Kobayashi and Romain Grosjean each shared the top spot. Michael Schumacher was lucky to progress to Q2, after initially struggling to set a competitive lap time within the 107% rule. Bruno Senna failed to progress through to Q2, along with the usual suspects of the two Caterhams, Marussias and HRTs.

Local hero Kamui Kobayashi was the first driver to take to the track as Q2 got underway, and set the initial pace with a 01:32.368. As the majority of the drivers gradually took to the track, the ever-dominant Red Bull of Sebastian Vettel glided to the top of the timing sheets with a scintillating 01:31.501. This time remained unbeaten as the second session drew to a conclusion, as Lewis Hamilton once again struggled to assert his authority over proceedings. Both Felipe Massa, Paul di Resta, Michael Schumacher, Pastor Maldonado, Nico Rosberg, Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne were knocked out after Q2.

The all-important top-ten shootout began with the Lotus of Kimi Raikkonen taking to the track immediately, and setting the initial pace with a 01:32.208. The Finn’s reign at the top failed to last for long, however, as Sebastian Vettel silenced the opposition with an absolutely mesmerizing 01:30.839. Mark Webber slotted neatly into 2nd position behind his team-mate, locking-out the front row for the Milton Keynes-based outfit.

Sebastian Vettel’s time at the top went unbeaten as the top ten shootout drew to a close, as Kimi Raikkonen suffered an embarrassing end to his session by beaching his Lotus in the gravel on the exit of turn 14. However, the Finn was able to continue as local hero Kamui Kobayashi went 4th fastest behind the Red Bull duo and the McLaren of Jenson Button. Lewis Hamilton endured a frustratingly uncompetitive qualifying session, ultimately ending the session 9th overall.

With the Red Bull duo looking unstoppable out in front, one would expect either Sebastian Vettel or Mark Webber to take victor in tomorrow’s 53-lap race. However, anything can happen in Formula 1, and in this unique season nothing is straightforward. With the likes of Kamui Kobayashi and Romain Grosjean qualifying high up the order, an exciting race is expected around the Suzuka circuit.

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