A dramatic qualifying session for tomorrow’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix saw Sebastian Vettel pick up his 14th pole position of the season, narrowly pipping Lewis Hamilton – who provoked a second run from the world champion after setting the initial pace in Q3 – to the front of the grid. Jenson Button and Mark Webber line up just behind them, with the Ferraris of Alonso and Massa occupying row three. Also in the top ten are Rosberg, Schumacher and the two Force Indias.
So there goes another record – 14 pole positions in a year puts Sebastian Vettel’s season on a level with Nigel Mansell’s domination of 1992. But can he convert it into his 12th win of the year? In all likelihood yes, yes he can. Think about it – not only has he won both races held at Yas Marina Circuit so far, but, having picked up his first world crown here this time last year, he’ll no doubt have stronger memories than most of the track’s tight, clinical corners. Oh, and given that this desert-based circuit gets extremely dusty off the racing line, pole position is everything.
What do you lot reckon? Is there even the tiniest chance of Vettel not bagging his Abu Dhabi hat-trick?
Here’s how they line up for tomorrow’s race.
1. Sebastian Vettel
2. Lewis Hamilton
3. Jenson Button
4. Mark Webber
5. Fernando Alonso
6. Felipe Massa
7. Nico Rosberg
8. Michael Schumacher
9. Adrian Sutil
10. Paul Di Resta
11. Sergio Perez
12. Vitaly Petrov
13. Sebastien Buemi
14. Bruno Senna
15. Jaime Alguersuari
16. Kamui Kobayashi
17. Pastor Maldonado
18. Heikki Kovalainen
19. Jarno Trulli
20. Timo Glock
21. Daniel Ricciardo
22. Jerome d’Ambrosio
23. Vitantonio Liuzzi
24. Rubens Barrichello
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What do you think?
traveler commented on this article
Saturday November 12, 2011 at 3:31 pm
most impressive
I have seen Lewis on the pole this time around….
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topgearf1 commented on this article
Saturday November 12, 2011 at 3:43 pm
This time the mclarens are clearly faster than the redbulls. so it’ll be an exciting race tomorrow
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traveler commented on this article
Saturday November 12, 2011 at 3:59 pm
I agree, McLaren were the fastest during the whole weekend until now.
Just Seb took away the pole from Lewis with his extra talent.
That will not be enough for the race – I see Button to win tomorrow
Will be an exciting one…
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ordinairyfan commented on this article
Saturday November 12, 2011 at 4:39 pm
McLaren maybe fast but also, maybe, Hamilton will clash with Massa again.
Mu prediction Vettel, Button, Webber, Hamilton,if he is really lucky, 7th.
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f1 fan commented on this article
Saturday November 12, 2011 at 4:39 pm
wow and now they finally see the light,, its not all the car, the redbull has not been the fastest all the time, more just several races where vettel took pole or prevailed and they say its the car.. no folks its more than the car, the BEST driver in the field is behind the wheels of that car.. this is why i like the guy as a driver.
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Mark commented on this article
Saturday November 12, 2011 at 4:55 pm
Impressed.
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NeuR32 commented on this article
Saturday November 12, 2011 at 5:44 pm
I did not watch qualifying but i read about it. I followed it via laptop bbc live feed while @ work. It is interesting to read the comments and how much a emphasis is placed on Lewis but when Vettel performs they dont seem to recognize it much, maybe a sentence here or there.
Wish i saw it, q3 must had been exciting to watch. Vettel #1
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NO TO SKY commented on this article
Saturday November 12, 2011 at 5:54 pm
Q3 was tense stuff as everyone waited for Vettel to cross the line. I think that in the race tommorow, the only way Vettel will get away is if Button and Hamilton start fighting for position in the first laps, maybe come together.
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NeuR32 commented on this article
Saturday November 12, 2011 at 6:08 pm
I wish i could see a replay or something. q3 electric.
It should be another great race, every race has been great. I suspect Lewis will bring the McLaren home in p1.
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f1 fan commented on this article
Saturday November 12, 2011 at 6:19 pm
Lewis said it himself today, “there has been no changes to the car for a couple of months now.” This car has been quick, even faster than redbull on about half the occasions…
going to be a good race but yeah as you guys said, its easy to see that mclaren will be strong and perhaps deny vettel the victory.
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Anonymous commented on this article
Sunday November 13, 2011 at 2:36 am
How can you be 24 and already be a legend?
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jmeister commented on this article
Sunday November 13, 2011 at 5:36 am
I know this might be a wild prediction. If Mr. Vettel has a lot of luck he might even win the race.
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mister safeway commented on this article
Sunday November 13, 2011 at 5:40 am
I don’t consider Vettel a legend myself. Then again, I don’t consider Schumacher a legend either. It’s just a bit weird to me to label someone as such when they’re still racing or not long retired.
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f1 fan commented on this article
Sunday November 13, 2011 at 8:09 am
mister i agree, legends are people who achieved and are no longer actively participating.
I think Schumacher is an exception but thats my op.
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formuladude commented on this article
Sunday November 13, 2011 at 9:08 am
i was actually astonished about vettel taking pole(shoouldnt have been really)i hope hamilton wins,so you twits will get off his back(probably tangle with massa again)and there is two more races to go before it hits sky,so enjoy while can for me
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og_heeren commented on this article
Sunday November 13, 2011 at 9:12 am
I wouldn’t be surprised if Vettel takes this one too. Could be like in Spa, the whole weekend McLaren seems to be faster, Q3 Vettel suddenly “learns” the track and in the race he is doing his magic again. My prediction: Vettel, Button, Hamilton, Alonso, Webber
Agree with f1 fan about the legends. Normally you become a legend in the end. The only excepetions are people who break many records in their sports during their active time. Schumacher is already a legend, even if he is still (again) active, because his performance has been legendary. Nobody else won so many races, WDC, WCC etc. He will always be remembered as an outstanding performer in this sport, or with other words, a legend. But if Vettel ads another 2 or 3 titles to his record list he will be the same. A legend is simply someone who is performing in an impressing and extraordinary way over a longer period of time.
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mister safeway commented on this article
Sunday November 13, 2011 at 1:33 pm
So everyone is at least agreed that Vettel isn’t a legend (at least yet)? It doesn’t make sense to say that he is. If he is as humble as he appears then he would rather earn it. If he were an arrogant person he would hate it, as it would appear people were saying he had achieved all that he is going to. Nobody wants to be a legend before their time!
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mister safeway commented on this article
Sunday November 13, 2011 at 1:42 pm
And welcome back formuladude.
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f1 fan commented on this article
Sunday November 13, 2011 at 2:08 pm
Sebs career is way too young to be called a legend. Sure he is super talented and could be a legend one day.
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f1 fan commented on this article
Sunday November 13, 2011 at 2:25 pm
Vettel is always understated, never do you see or hear him being arrogant. He does not go into interviews saying that its rare that other drivers can pass him, its normally him doing the passing, and that he is one of the best there has ever been, only hamilton does this Vettel very humble.
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anoynymous 2 commented on this article
Monday November 14, 2011 at 1:19 pm
Vettel is the champion at least Lewis won because he didn’t have any competition from Vetel.If Vetel had been in the race he would have won it by a mile.
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anonymous 2 commented on this article
Friday November 25, 2011 at 7:55 pm
@anoynymous 2
oi! you nearly copied my name
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