Hat-trick of Pole for Vettel in Indian GP

Zee Media Bureau/Chaitan Papnai

Greater Noida: Three-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel has secured the pole position in the Indian Grand Prix. It’s his third pole in as many races in India. By setting his hat-trick of pole positions, he is just a race away to secure his fourth consecutive world championship title on Sunday. It is German’s 43rd career pole and seventh in 16 races so far this season. Vettel topped Saturday’s qualifying in 1 minute 24.119 seconds at Buddh International Circuit (BIC) from Mercedes drivers Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, who are second and third on the grid respectively, whereas Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso had to settle 8th on the grid. Even if the Red Bull driver, Vettel finishes the Sunday race in top five, he will statistically seal his fourth championship title, as he is already 90 points ahead of Fernando Alonso, who is standing second in the Drivers’ Championship. The 26-year-old is chasing his sixth successive win as well as an Indian hat-trick at a circuit where he has led every race lap to date. Iceman, Kimi Raikkonen will start sixth, with Ferrari`s Felipe Massa in fifth and Sauber`s Nico Hulkenberg a strong seventh for Sauber. The two McLaren drivers Jenson Button and Sergio Perez rounded out the top 10 behind Alonso. Sole Indian F1 team, Sahara Force India drivers, Paul di Resta and Adrian Sutil will start the race from 12 and 13th on the gird.