Newly-crowned double world champion Sebastian Vettel drew level with Nigel Mansell in the Formula One record books on Saturday when he delivered a stunning fastest lap to secure pole position for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The 26-year-old German steered his Red Bull car round the Yas Marina circuit in dazzling fashion to create a dramatic finale and steal pole from Lewis Hamilton, who will start second on the grid alongside him for Sunday’s 55-laps day-night race. It was Vettel’s 14th pole this year and the 29th of his career, in his 80th Grand Prix. Briton Mansell reeled off his record 14 poles in a single season with the Williams team in his drivers’ title winning year of 1992. “I wasn’t very happy with the car on Friday,” said Vettel. “We thought there was more (performance) in the car, but we couldn’t really get to it. This afternoon was quite a bit better, but this place is tricky in many ways.
“You practice in day conditions when the sun is up and the track is hot. Then in qualifying, it’s getting dark and cool, so the car behaves differently. “In this qualifying, I had a much better feeling, especially on the soft tyres. It is difficult getting everything into one lap – it’s a long lap and there’s plenty of opportunities to gain time, but a little mistake and it’s easy to lose time.
“I wasn’t so happy with my first run in Q3, but I was happy with my second.” Hamilton said he was happy with the overall performance over the two days. “It’s a big improvement for me from the last race. We were quick in qualifying. The car is feeling good. “Just at the end, that was as fast as I was able to go on that lap. It was not particularly great.
“That’s the way it is. Well done to Sebastian – he did a great lap, but the race is tomorrow and that’s most important day…” Hamilton was second quickest ahead of his English compatriot and McLaren team-mate Jenson Button with Australian Mark Webber fourth in the second Red Bull.
Vettel equals Mansell pole record
