Sebastian Vettel 1st“That was extremely exciting, especially in Q3. I knew that both times I went out I only had one timed lap, so I had to get it right. It’s difficult here, there are some places that can easily lead you into a mistake on this track. If you push too much then you can lose the edge of the tyres and some time. My final lap wasn’t 100 percent perfect and there were a couple of places where I went over the limit, which cost me some time. But, in the end, it was enough - although only just - to stay ahead and get the pole. I am extremely happy - thanks to the team. It is the first time I am on pole at home, but the main challenge will come tomorrow.”

Mark Webber 4th“I made a mistake into Turn One on my final timed lap. I turned in a little bit late and cut the kerb, which took me out wide so I had to abandon the lap. It was a shame I couldn’t take advantage of the improving track conditions at the end of the session; it wasn’t the best day for me. I let the boys down a bit, but Seb did a good lap for pole. Fourth is still not too bad - let’s see what we can do from there in tomorrow’s race.”

Christian Horner, Red Bull team principal“It was a fantastic lap from Sebastian to get pole at his home race, albeit by the tightest of margins. Mark was right up there throughout the two qualifying sessions and again the drivers were split by very little. Unfortunately he ran wide at Turn one at the start of his last timed lap, but first and fourth is still a strong team result and it promises to be a good race tomorrow.”

Qualifying times:

Q31.  Vettel         Red Bull-Renault             1:13.7912.  Alonso         Ferrari                           1:13.7933.  Massa          Ferrari                           1:14.2904.  Webber         Red Bull-Renault          1:14.3475.  Button         McLaren-Mercedes        1:14.4276.  Hamilton       McLaren-Mercedes       1:14.5667.  Kubica         Renault                          1:15.0798.  Barrichello    Williams-Cosworth        1:15.1099.  Rosberg        Mercedes                     1:15.17910  Hulkenberg     Williams-Cosworth     1:15.339

Q211  Schumacher     Mercedes                1:15.02612  Kobayashi      Sauber-Ferrari           1:15.08413  Petrov         Renault                        1:15.30714  Sutil          Force India-Mercedes    1:15.46715  de la Rosa     Sauber-Ferrari            1:15.55016  Alguersuari    Toro Rosso-Ferrari    1:15.58817  Buemi          Toro Rosso-Ferrari     1:15.974

Q118  Trulli         Lotus-Cosworth          1:17.58319  Kovalainen     Lotus-Cosworth      1:18.30020  Glock          Virgin-Cosworth        1:18.34321  Senna          HRT-Cosworth          1:18.59222  Liuzzi         Force India-Mercedes  1:18.95223  Yamamoto       HRT-Cosworth      1:19.84424  di Grassi      Virgin-Cosworth         Did not take part

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