NURBURG, Germany // Mark Webber refused to "maintain the gap" at Silverstone two weeks ago when ordered by his Red Bull Racing team, but he maintained something else at the Nurburgring ahead of today's German Grand Prix: momentum.
The Australian, by blitzing the 5.15km track in a blistering one minute 30.79 seconds, recorded successive pole positions for the first time in 14 months and ensured Red Bull continue their formidable run of having topped the time sheets in every qualifying session this season.
"The performance has been getting a little better in the last few races and also this track seems to be not too bad for me in the past," said Webber, who won the German Grand Prix the last time it was held here in 2009. However, Red Bull did not have it all their own way. Lewis Hamilton, the McLaren-Mercedes driver, finished just six one-hundredths of a second behind the pole-sitter, and in doing so relegated Webber's teammate Sebastian Vettel, the world champion, to third.
It is the first time since the Italian Grand Prix 10 months ago that Vettel, driving in front of his home fans, has failed to start a race on the front row. He said "it is not really a disappointment," but his body language told a different story. "I would like to be further up," he added.
Hamilton had started the session having written off his chances of securing pole, but following a scintillating final lap he will now start on the front row for the first time since the second race of the season.
"I'm kind of speechless," he said. "I'm on such a high right now, a real natural boost because I honestly didn't expect to be so high up. I don't think anyone in the team did. It was as perfect as I could do it. I don't know how I could make it any more perfect. It's one of the best laps I think I've ever done in a car."
Hamilton will likely be further buoyed by the fact Webber, despite having started on pole twice previously this season, has still yet to lead a lap.
"I hope I lead one lap tomorrow, which is the last lap" Webber said. "That is the most important thing, so I will be pushing very hard, don't worry."
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