SEBASTIAN VETTEL/Red Bull Racing scorched the Albert Park circuit Saturday to score the pole for the Qantas Australian Formula One Grand Prix with a record 1:23.919 set in the third of three Qualifying sessions. The young German broke the six-year old track record of 1:24.125 set by MICHAEL SCHUMACHER/Ferrari in 2004.
It’s his second straight pole for Vettel this year. The kid is hot.
Local lad and RBR teammate, MARK WEBBER, was second, making it a jubilous celebration in the RBR garage.
FERNANDO ALONSO/Ferrari was a glum third driver on the podium Saturday afternoon.
Fourth and fifth were JENSON BUTTON/McLaren and FELIPE MASSA/Ferrari.
The weather was cooling throughout the afternoon and it almost felt/looked like rain, but the times just kept dropping. The rain held off until the start of the V8 race. Just a spritz which quickly vanished. But the temperatures dropped considerably.
Each of the 12 F1 teams have two cars. No backup or T cars are allowed any more. The teams may have a third (unfinished) tub but it isn’t allowed in the garage – it has to be out back.
The gate which is open/closed for access to the F1 starting grid weighs two tons, but is decidedly narrow. Looking at it, one can almost agree with Bernie for limiting the access.
Seeing as how the weather has been overcast for the past two days, maybe the F1 drivers won’t have to be concerned about the sun’s glare in their eyes at 6 PM Sunday during the twilight race.