Vettel reigns top in all session in Austin including qualifying
Reigning World Champion and championship leader Sebastien Vettel of Red Bull Racing dominated all sessions so far prior to the United States Grand Prix in a new purpose built F1 track in Austin, Texas. Vettel and Red Bull Racing dominated right away from Practice 1 even while the track was new and very slippery and till the Qualifying to take pole.
The strenght of RedBull and Vettel is unsurpassed for the past 6races while only to be disqualified in Abu Dhabi qualifying for a no fuel sample issue. The duo is top favorites and just a grab away from their 3 consecutive world title with only 2 races to go. Early championship leader Ferrari´s Fernando Alonso failed to make the best in qualifying and managed only 9th fastest due to a trye issue while making a huge dent to his championship chances.
McLaren´s Lewis Hamilton managed to shadow Vettel during all sessions but couldnt overcome the Red Bull racing driver and managed to claim P2. Hamilton is cautious to play safe and not to risk too much after his hear breaking mishap in Abu Dhabi while leading the race. Mark Webber of RedBull completed the top3 and Lotus´ driver Romain Grosjean clocked 4th fastest but will face a 5place grid penalty which will make him start 9th on the grid for the race due to a gearbox change..
Abud Dhabi winner Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus), Michael Schumacher (Mercedes), Ferrari´s Fillipe Massa, Force India´s Nico Hulkenberg and FernandoAlonso will be promoted one place up for the start of the race while Williams´ Pastor Maldonado will complete the top10 of qualifying.
McLaren´s Jenson Button managed 12th fastest as a result of a throttle issue while Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg who ran an old exhaust system for evaluation of next year´s car managed only 17th fastest was surprised by team mate Shcumacher´s pace
Indian driver Narain Karthikeyan had an early end to his qualifying as the car stopped due to an fuel pick up problem and he will start 24th.
There is a much concern on starting the race on the dirty side of the track as the track is new and slippery and the driver starting on the even number grid positions will be more affected. So lets keep our fingers crossed and wait for the race as the driver´s and constructor´s titles might be sealed this weekend.
Alonso is 10point behind Vettel in the drivers championship and Red Bull Racing needs just 4point to grab the constructor´s title this weekend