Vettel ahead in Red Bull front row

F1 Grand Prix, GP Europe, Valencia Street Circuit

Sebastian Vettel has set his fourth pole of the season, just as many as his teammate Mark Webber who set the second fastest time. Despite many updates on rival cars, Red Bull still appear to be the best qualifiers. Third is Hamilton, ahead of Alonso's Ferrari.

It's again sunny and warm here at Valencia, just like on Friday. On the tyre front that should surely be a prospect for fast laps.

Jarno Trulli is the first man to set a quick time, but a 1:44 is hardly a time worth going through to Q2. That first time is only after 5 seconds into the session because most drivers are making 4 lap stints due to the high temperatures.

Halfway through Q1, that results in a fastest time for Alonso, ahead of Rosberg, Button, Webber, Massa, Vettel and Barrichello. Robert Kubica is in 24th position currently as he did no set a time yet, although he is on track now.

The cars are very closely matched on the pace here, even after some massive updates on some cars, including Ferrari, Mercedes and Renault. With 7 minutes to go, Vettel has set a provisional fastest lap, faster than Alonso and Massa.

One minute later, it's Kubica who is quickest.

One minute ahead of the session's closure, many drivers are again on track, but it's especially Michael Schumacher who is under pressure in 18th place. It's hardly a matter of one tenth. It appears the Michael is struggling with a power steering problem on his car but is still just able to get through to Q2, improving 3 tenths to 12th place.

Out of this qualifying session are therefore Kobayashi, Trulli, Kovalainen, Di Grassi, Glock, Chandhok and Senna.

Just like in Q2 at previous races, every runner quickly takes the track in Q2. All cars are on track only 2 seconds after the start of the session, starting their 3 or 4 lap stints.

After an intense period and most drivers back into the pitlane, Vettel is quickest with a 1:38.015. Webber is second, ahead of Kubica, Alonso, Hamilton, Massa and Button. The Mercedes cars didn't do too wel as Rosberg is 12th, Schumacher 15th.

It's interesting how close the cars are in regards to pace. The top 14 cars are separated by only 0.8 seconds. Williams for instance appear to be doing well here, helped by their new blown rear wing.

At the session ending, Barrichello moves up to 7th, but neither of the Mercedes cars are able to improve, sticking themselves on tomorow's grid in 12th and 15th place. Both Force India cars are also out, together with De La Rosa and the two Toro Rossos.

In Q3 all drivers initially choose the softer tyre, whereas both Williams cars used the harder compound in Q2. Vitaly Petrov is the first to set a laptime, but it is Webber who goes fastest after 5 minutes into the session. Hamilton is secon, Vetel third. Alonso messed his lap up and is only 6th.

Williams meanwhile choose to do their hot laps in between the two stints most other cars are doing. Nico Hulkenberg moves into 5th after his first lap.

Surprisingly, Alonso is the first one on the track after the Williams have disappeared. His first lap is good for 4th position but he looks set for another lap on the soft tyres.

Vettel is meanwhile coming up, and he's going to set the first final laptime. He goes faster by 0.265s compared to his teammate who is still on track.

Hamilton on the other hand screwed up his final lap and looks set not to improve from 3rd, in fact on he contrary. Webber then crosses the line into second place, unable to improve Vettel's time.