Red Bull's Vettel takes pole for Indian Grand Prix

Greater Noida - 29 Oct 2011 (AFP): World championSebastian Vettelraced to his 13th pole position of the year at the Indian Grand Prix Saturday as he bids to equal Michael Schumacher's record for most wins in a season.

The young German, who reclaimed his title this month in Japan, heads an all-Red Bull front row at India's firstFormula Onerace after Lewis Hamilton, who qualified second, was penalised three places for an earlier infringement.

Vettel is now just one off Nigel Mansell's 1994 record of 14 poles in one year, and he can match Schumacher's achievement of winning 13 races in 2004 if he is victorious in all three remaining races.

"At the end my lap wasn't 100 percent but you always get out of the car thinking (that)," Vettel said. "It's good to start the race from the front tomorrow. I think it's going to be an interesting race."

Ferrari'sFernando Alonsowill start in third place atBuddh International Circuiton Sunday with Jenson Button, vying to hang on to second place in the standings, fourth.

Button's McLaren partnerLewis Hamiltonwill begin his challenge from fifth after being penalised three grid places for ignoring warning flags during free practice on Friday.

And Ferrari'sFelipe Massawill start sixth despite a dramatic crash in the dying seconds when his front wheel was knocked askew by a kerb and he ploughed nose-first into the barriers. The Brazilian was not hurt in the incident.

Vettel led the drivers into the 10-minute final session and he was never headed as he clocked 1min 24.178sec to take the honours on the dust-strewn course near New Delhi.

But seven-time champion Schumacher failed to reach the top-10 shoot-out after barely squeaking into the second qualifying segment in a disappointing outing.

Button wore a black armband in memory of British IndyGP driverDan Wheldonwhile Massa wore a '58' sticker on his helmet to commemorateMotoGPrider Marco Simoncelli.

Both racers died in competition in a tragic month for motorsport, casting a shadow over preparations for India's first ever grand prix held on a dusty development site near New Delhi.

High excitement over the event has been tempered by disquiet at the massive disparity between Formula One's super-rich and local people living in one of the world's poorest regions.

But organisers are already celebrating a smooth inauguration of the $400 million circuit as a boost for India's image after the embarrassment of last year's shambolic New DelhiCommonwealth Games.