Qualification – Vettel writes a page in F1 history

Sebastian Vettel became the youngest pole-sitter in Formula 1 history as he finished first in a particularly wet qualifying session for the Italian Grand Prix.

Vettel set his time at the beginning of Q3 and patiently waited for the drivers to cross the timing line before bursting with joy.

In the end, his 1:37.555 was enough to secure his place as leader ahead of Heikki Kovalainen. On his last lap, Mark Webber snatched 3rd position from Sébastien Bourdais, who ended up in 4th.

There were cries of joy in the small Scuderia’s stand. The situation is different for the current world championship leader’s stand because Lewis Hamilton had a terrible afternoon. He has to settle for 15th place on the grid.

Hamilton’s problems began when he gambled on fitting intermediate tires at the start of Q2. The Briton never felt comfortable and was never able to get into the top 10, especially as the rain was intensifying.

He is not the only victim of this second part of the qualifications since Kimi Räikkönen did no better than 14th place and Robert Kubica recorded the 11th fastest time.

The misfortunes of some make the happiness of others, like Felipe Massa who will start from sixth place tomorrow alongside Nico Rosberg (5th). The Toyota cars of Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock are seventh and ninth. Fernando Alonso is in between them and Nick Heidfeld completes this top 10.

Force India recognized that these unfavorable conditions could be an opportunity to achieve a good result, and the team was rewarded when Giancarlo Fisichella made it into Q2 for the first time this season. The Italian then finished in a very respectable 12th place.

The two Hondas remained at the Q1 stage. Nelson Piquet did not do any better, and it’s his teammate Fernando Alonso who eliminated him by saving his own skin!

The spin-outs were numerous, such as those of Boudais or Hamilton…

Results Qualification – Italian GP – September 13, 2008