Vettel back on pole for Hungarian GP
Hamilton second, Alonso finishes fifth in qualifying.
BUDAPEST:
Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel roared back to form with the pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix after his Red Bull mechanics worked through the night to get his car up to speed.
The German had failed to win the last two races but made sure Red Bull snapped up their 11th pole in 11 races this season, which was his eighth of the campaign and 23rd of his career. Australian teammate Mark Webber, second in the championship but a massive 77 points behind Vettel, qualified in sixth place.
Vettel was understandably upbeat after the good show.
“I felt much more comfortable this morning,” said Vettel. “I’m very pleased with the result. The boys were working pretty hard and didn’t get much sleep last night. I’ve got the confidence back.”
McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton, who won in Germany last week, was quickest early on in the final session but had to settle for second on the grid after Vettel’s flying last lap. The Briton was satisfied with the way things had turned out.
“I think it’s still a great achievement for us,” he said. “Red Bull seemed to pick up a bit of pace.”
Hamilton’s teammate Jenson Button was third for his 200th grand prix but double world champion Fernando Alonso could only manage fifth for Ferrari behind Felipe Massa. Alonso appeared to be heading for pole on his final lap but lost time in the final sector as his teammate out-qualified him for the first time this season.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 31st, 2011.
Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel roared back to form with the pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix after his Red Bull mechanics worked through the night to get his car up to speed.
The German had failed to win the last two races but made sure Red Bull snapped up their 11th pole in 11 races this season, which was his eighth of the campaign and 23rd of his career. Australian teammate Mark Webber, second in the championship but a massive 77 points behind Vettel, qualified in sixth place.
Vettel was understandably upbeat after the good show.
“I felt much more comfortable this morning,” said Vettel. “I’m very pleased with the result. The boys were working pretty hard and didn’t get much sleep last night. I’ve got the confidence back.”
McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton, who won in Germany last week, was quickest early on in the final session but had to settle for second on the grid after Vettel’s flying last lap. The Briton was satisfied with the way things had turned out.
“I think it’s still a great achievement for us,” he said. “Red Bull seemed to pick up a bit of pace.”
Hamilton’s teammate Jenson Button was third for his 200th grand prix but double world champion Fernando Alonso could only manage fifth for Ferrari behind Felipe Massa. Alonso appeared to be heading for pole on his final lap but lost time in the final sector as his teammate out-qualified him for the first time this season.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 31st, 2011.