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Vettel grabs pole at Bahrain, Schumacher qualifies seventh

Sat 13th, March 2010

Sakhir, Bahrain (Sports Network) - Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel topped Ferrari drivers Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso in Saturday's qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix, while Michael Schumacher qualified seventh in his return to Formula One racing.

Vettel, who finished second to champion Jenson Button in 2009, lapped the 3.914-mile, 23-turn Bahrain circuit during the closing 10-minute qualifying session in one minute, 54.101 seconds for his sixth career F1 pole. The young German won two of the final three grand prix last year.

"I am very happy to be on pole thanks to the team," Vettel said. "To come here the first time that everyone really shows how strong they are and to be on top is a very nice feeling."

Vettel finished 0.141 seconds quicker than Massa, who will start on the outside pole. Massa will make his first start since a high speed qualifying crash at Hungary last July sidelined him for the remainder of the '09 season.

"I think it's very nice to be back here racing and be competitive," Massa said. "I feel really happy to be back after such a difficult time."

Alonso will start third in his first race with Ferrari, while Lewis Hamilton from McLaren will roll off fourth. Mercedes GP's Nico Rosberg, who was quickest in Friday's practice, claimed the fifth spot. Vettel's teammate, Mark Webber, qualified sixth.

"From my point of view, I am extremely happy with the results of this weekend so far," Alonso said.

Alonso and Massa are both two-time winners of the Bahrain GP.

Schumacher qualified well off the pace but managed to finish ahead of Button, who starts eighth in his first event with McLaren. Schumacher, the seven-time F1 champion and winner of 91 grand prix, is making a comeback with Mercedes after three years of retirement.

"I am satisfied with seventh place today having been away from Formula One for such a long time," Schumacher said. "I'm looking forward to the race, and I expect even more to come."

Renault's Robert Kubica took the ninth spot, and Adrian Sutil from Force India came in 10th.