Vettel pips Webber to claim pole

Local hero Mark Webber was desperate to hose down the expectations of a nation after
steering his car to the front row of the grid for Sunday's Australian Formula One
Grand Prix.
Webber is, for the first time in his career, realistically eyeing the chequered flag
at his home race after qualifying second behind Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel.
Vettel claimed his seventh pole by just eight 100ths of a second from Webber with
series leader Fernando Alonso third in his Ferrari.
Webber denied he was daunted by the prospect of high hopes from his countrymen.
"I know that tomorrow's papers will be wrapped in fish and chips on Monday," he said.
"They're very fickle and they think that this is the only race of the season, down
here.
"I have a much, a much bigger thing in mind - a good result tomorrow, and of course
I'm keen to do well here but every grand prix is a very respectful thing to take
part in.
"Whether I'm in Australia, Budapest, Japan, we give our best. Every time we get in
the car we have to deliver.
"Today I did not feel any pressure at all, I felt like I drove well and I enjoyed it.
"This place is incredibly unpredictable come Sunday afternoon, not only because of
the type of circuit it is but also because there can be some changeable weather
tomorrow afternoon."
The Australian admitted to mixed feelings after qualifying before being reminded by
Vettel that the German was only taking revenge for last year's German GP - Webber's
breakthrough win - when the grid order was reversed.
Webber said he was "not really happy" after the top 10 shootout, losing out to his
major rival.
"I would love to be on pole. Overall it would be nice to be one place further up but
Seb did a good job and it's a good job for the team as well," Webber said.
"In the end we got the maximum result for the team today. Obviously I'm not happy
with the order but both of us pushed each other hard and that's what it's about at
this level.
"I will be happy in the morning when I wake up. I will be in a good position
obviously to have a good race."
Following the tedious season-opener in Bahrain, Vettel assured fans the Australian
GP would hold more excitement.
"This circuit has a nature where there is simply more action than in Bahrain so more
things are happening," Vettel said.
"It's not that long a circuit so you might have more situations lapping cars,
lapping groups, which can always be dangerous for yourself and them as well.
"There is not a lot of run-off where in Bahrain if you do a mistake you just run
wide and you come back.
"Here it always looks nice on the TV - it feels horrible in the car, it's gravel or
something not that smooth.
"Albert Park is very well known for any kind of happenings - remember two years back
seven cars finished - so with safety cars, accidents, it could be quite messy."
Reigning world champion Jenson Button will start from fourth spot, one ahead of the
second Ferrari of Felipe Massa, but his McLaren teammate failed to make the final
cut in qualifying and starts from 11th.
Veteran seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher qualified seventh, one place
behind his German countryman and Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg.