Rare praise from Webber as Vettel matches pole record

Even the ultra-competitive Mark Webber could not resist a piece of high praise for his teammate under the floodlights in Abu Dhabi.

Minutes earlier, world champion Vettel had captured his fourteenth pole of the season; an achievement equalling Nigel Mansell's record set in 1992 in a car also designed by Adrian Newey.

Pole winner Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: xpb.cc

Red Bull rang in the news by jokingly calling the 24-year-old German 'Mr Mansell' on the radio.

"He (Mansell) obviously took two races less to achieve the same but still, it's something very special. It's a great feeling, for sure," said Vettel.

The Abu Dhabi pole also matches Juan Manuel Fangio's career tally of 29 front-of-the-grid starts.

Webber, whose best Q3 time was almost four tenths shy of Vettel's pole, is quoted by AFP: "Sometimes you see Seb's lap and you go 'wow I can't do that'".

Another goal for Vettel before leaving Abu Dhabi is to meet Paul McCartney, a famous member of the German's favourite band The Beatles.

"I haven't seen him but I think he is also here on Sunday so I hope to ask him if he minds having a photo with me," he told F1's official website.

But that might have to take place after a tough fight for victory, with fellow front row-sitter Lewis Hamilton determined to have a good race.

"I remember into turn one last year, I brake early and let him (Vettel) go," said the McLaren driver after qualifying. "I don't plan to do that tomorrow."