Vettel Takes 9th Pole in Belgium

SPA-FRANCHORCHAMPS, Belgium- Keeping a cool head and braving the continuing showers, Sebastian Vettel turned a brave last minute attempt into his ninth pole of the year as the German recorded a 1:48:298 fastest lap for Sunday’s Grand Prix of Belgium at the Spa Franchorchamps circuit. Lewis Hamilton and Mark Webber finished second and third, respectively.

“It was a difficult session, “ said Vettel afterwards. “The circuit was drying up, and I did not feel comfortable but had found better lines all weekend. We were quite sure and I was very happy. Tomorrow is dry, but anything is possible.”

The sessions began with excitement right at the start when Michael Schumacher, celebrating his 20th season in formula one, had a rear back tire let go, spinning his Mercedes into the guardrail and into last position. Since the seven times world champion had the best time in Friday’s opening session, it is still questionable whether or not he will be able to start in Sunday’s race, because Schumacher, as well as Vitantonio Luizzi, Daniel Riccardo and home hero Jerome D’amrosio failed to meet the 107 percent rulerequirement. While the disappointment was with these four drivers, Heikki Kovalainen moved on with his Lotus after he had bumped out a frustrated Paul Di Resta and his Force India Mercedes at the last second.

Jenson Button managed to record his Mclaren Mercedes with the fastest time of 2:01 :853, but that moment was short lived as the Englishman, who won the previous race in Hungary, was brought in too soon by his team and like Di Resta, failed to advance no further up the grid, and will start on Sunday in 13th position. With 6:53 left in the session, Force India’s Adrian Sutil hit a wet strip off Eau Rouge and crashed into the barriers, leaving debris all over the track, bringing out a red flag session, which lasted for just under ten minutes. Once the session resumed, it was a surprising Fernando Alonso who recorded the session’s best time of 2:02:768. Hamilton, who was slowing down after the session ended was ran into by Pastor Maldonado, who drove across Hamilton’s car, and sheared off his right front wing. Something that Hamilton did not like.

“I think I was at the end of my lap and saw the Williams trying to get past.” Commented Hamilton. “ I saw Maldonado approaching quite quickly, and saw him swiping by. The front wing was quite damaged, but the front towing was fixed thanks to the crew. But once the (checkered)flag is out there should not be any more racing.”

Felipe Massa for the first time in a while recorded his best finish, a fourth place qualification, while Nico Rosberg took  fifth. Jaime Algusuari finished his best grid qualifying spot in sixth, while Bruno Senna, only in his first race in over two years, took an impressive seventh. Alonso was eighth in one of his most disappointing qualifying sessions in a while. Sergio Perez and Vitaly Petrov rounded out the top ten.

The circuit as it always has been is unpredictable, and this was also in Vettel’s words after qualifying.

“I think it is one of those races you do not know about.” He said. “It is likely to be dry tomorrow.”