Sebastian Vettel admits that today's pole position in Hungary handed him a much-needed confidence boost after a difficult weekend in Germany and a tough day on Friday.
The World Champion wasn't completely happy with the set-up on his RB7 but after his team worked overnight to make changes to his car, he was much happier on Saturday. Vettel was the fastest man in Saturday practice and then edged out Lewis Hamilton to take his eighth pole of the season.
The German revealed that the changes had a significant effect and gave him the lift that he was desperately looking for after struggling at home last weekend.
“I think it was a very good session for us. The McLarens were very quick, so we've done the right thing and I felt much more comfortable this morning. Q1 and Q2 was about getting through to the last session and I'm very pleased with the result. We changed a lot on the car overnight and the boys were working pretty hard and didn't get much sleep, but I think if we have a result like this it's the best way to say thanks, so I'm very happy. I've got the confidence back, today I felt much more comfortable in the car and I'm looking forward to tomorrow.”
Teammate Mark Webber had a far less straightforward afternoon and has plenty of work to do in the race from sixth on the grid. The Australian was hampered by a KERS problem which was only rectified at the very end of Q3 and was unable to get near Vettel's pace in the sister car.
“Third row is not where I want to be – I didn't get the best out of the car and out of the tyres. KERS was up and down a bit, I didn't have it in Q2, I had it on the last lap in Q3, but in the end I wasn't quick enough and couldn't get the lap time. So, we have to come back tomorrow and see where we are.”
After a titanic battle with McLaren and Ferrari in qualifying, Team Principal Christian Horner was delighted with another pole position but expects a similarly close fight in tomorrow's Grand Prix.
“A really close qualifying and a phenomenal effort by Sebastian to get the pole position on the last run, especially after a hard night by all the mechanics. We used the first of our jokers with the curfew, of which we are permitted four in a season, to spend the extra time working on car set-up. He's repaid them in the best possible way with pole position, which is a great start to the weekend but we're set for a tough race tomorrow. Unfortunately Mark picked up a KERS issue in Q2; it came available again in Q3, but it hampered his preparation. Nonetheless we know Mark's a great racer and I'm sure he'll make good progress from there in tomorrow's race.”
