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Sebastian Vettel on Pole for US F-1 Gran Prix in Austin, TX

Sunday Sebastian Vettel will start at the Pole position for the 36th time in the 100th race of his Formula One career, with the opportunity to become the sport’s youngest triple world champion.

The 25-anni racing driver will clinch his 3rd successive title if he wins his 6th race this season and his main rival Fernando Alonso finishes lower than 4th at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX Sunday

Ferrari’s Alonso has a 10-pt deficit to make up with 2 races to go, will start the US Grand Prix in 8th place, having been bumped up the grid after Lotus’ Romain Grosjean was dropped 5 spots for an illegal gearbox change during Saturday’s qualifying.

If Vettel comes 2nd or 3rd his Ferrari rival needs to finish at least 8th or 10th to take the title race to the finale in Brazil.

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Webber, who starts 3rd and may play an important role in defending Vettel’s position, said: ‘I’m happy with qualifying. ‘I had to manage a little problem with the car, but the 2 guys ahead of me were pretty quick and did very strong lap times. ‘Overall, I’m happy to be third on the grid. We can have a strong grand prix from there. It’s a great job by the team. We’ve got our eye on the constructors’ championship and trying to put that to bed.’

Despite his low grid position Alonso is optimistic. ‘I will try to move up the grid Sunday and I still believe I can score more points than Sebastian, I need to keep my confidence.’

Kimi Raikkonen, who won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2 weeks ago, was 5th for Lotus ahead of retirement-bound 7-time champion Michael Schumacher in his Mercedes.

Alonso’s Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa qualified 7th ahead of ever-improving Nico Hulkenberg of Force India, with Alonso 9th and Pastor Maldonado 10th for Williams.

Briton Jenson Button, in the 2nd McLaren, failed to make the cut to the Top 10 after losing power due to a throttle pedal problem on the 2nd day of qualifying.

Here are the Top 10 qualifiers:

1st: Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull

2nd: Lewis Hamilton, McLaren

3rd: Mark Webber, Red Bull

4th: Romain Grosjean, Lotus

5th: Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus

6th: Michael Schumacher, Mercedes

7th: Felipe Massa, Ferrari

8th: Nico Hulkenberg, Force India

9th: Fernando Alonso, Ferrari

10th: Pastor Maldonado, Williams

Sunday’s race marks the return of Formula 1 racing to the United States after a 5 yr absence. The last US Grand Prix was run at Indianapolis in Y 2007.

It is hoped that Austin’s new purpose-built track will give some stability to series in the States, which has looked for a more permanent home ever since Y 1980 when Formula 1 left its 20-yr base at Watkins Glen, NY.

Enjoy the Race.