Japanese grand prix: Delighted Vettel storms to Suzuka pole

Button slapped with five-place penalty.

SUZUKA:

Sebastian Vettel stormed to pole position at the Japanese Grand Prix at the head of this year's first all-Red Bull front row. The defending double world champion claimed his fourth pole in a row at Suzuka.

The German timed two-tenths quicker than teammate Mark Webber as Red Bull locked out the front two spots, highlighting a surge in form by the team that has claimed the last two drivers and constructors titles. But Red Bull's rivals McLaren were left licking their wounds after Jenson Button, who timed third quickest, was hit with a five-place grid penalty for a gearbox change, and Lewis Hamilton came in a lowly ninth.

"I'm very happy with today's result," said Vettel. "We had a very good qualifying session and it was very smooth, almost perfect. We seem to get better every time we go out.

The car feels fantastic so it came together nicely and we hope for a good race tomorrow." 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7^th, 2012.