World champion Sebastian Vettel captured pole position as Red Bull dominated qualifying on Saturday for Sunday’s Formula One Japanese Grand Prix.
Vettel clocked a fastest lap of one minute 30.839 seconds at the Suzuka circuit, 0.251 seconds ahead of teammate Mark Webber.
McLaren’s Jenson Button was third fastest but will start eighth on the grid following a five-place penalty for a gearbox change at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Current leader Fernando Alonso in a Ferrari was seventh fastest, behind Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber), who will now start third, Romain Grosjean (Lotus) and Sergio Perez (Sauber), Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus) was behind Alonso, while McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton was ninth after a late spin by Raikkonen prevented the Briton from getting in a final lap.
Michael Schumacher (Mercedes) will start last on the grid as a result of his 10-place penalty following his crash at the Singapore Grand Prix when he ran into the rear of Jean-Eric Vergne’s Toro Rosso.
