Indian Grand Prix: Despite clinching pole, Sebastian Vettel won't take anything for granted
The 25-year-old German who is bidding to become the youngest treble champion in F1 history said he felt happy to be at the front of the field, but knew plenty of hard work lay ahead.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: October 28, 2012 09:39 am IST
Sebastian Vettel insisted he cannot take victory for granted in Sunday's Indian Grand Prix after claiming pole position in another Red Bull front row lockout on Saturday.
The 25-year-old German who is bidding to become the youngest treble champion in F1 history said he felt happy to be at the front of the field, but knew plenty of hard work lay ahead.
He said: "Tomorrow is the race. Today is qualifying. There are no points scored today.
"It's going to be a long race and what sort of race it is, we are going to find out. That is why we are looking forward to it. I am happy to be in the position we are, but we go from there tomorrow."
Vettel secured the 35th pole of his career after making an error under braking on his first flying lap in Q£.
He said: "I had to abort the lap and focus on the second attempt, which was fine. I was happy, braking a bit early for Turn 4. All in all a very good session for us, the car was fantastic.
"The support we had from Milton Keynes and the factory was incredible and a big thank you to the guys there. We took another step forward.
"Today is a good result for us, but tomorrow is the main exercise. The McLarens were very quick on long runs and the Ferrari strategy could be a surprise, so we will see what happens."
Vettel reiterated that he would not worry about nearest title rival Fernando Alonso of Ferrari during the races, but concentrate on his own job.
"We have to focus on the start tomorrow and focus on ourselves. What the others are doing we cannot influence," he said.
"Fernando could have been a second quicker today than anyone and there is nothing we could have done other than mind our business and get the fastest lap we can.
"It is a long race tomorrow, there are a lot of things that can happen. If we are ahead it is better than being behind."
Team-mate Mark Webber agreed and said he expected the race to be much closer than performances in practice suggested.
The Australian said: "I think it's going to be tighter between all of us, but I still think that we should have enough."