Vettel on pole in China

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The German sat out most of the final two stages of qualifying due to concerns over the reliability of the car but nevertheless stormed to the top of the order with a time of one minute 36.184 seconds.

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso also enjoyed an superb qualifying session for Renault to line up alongside Vettel on the front row, while Mark Webber completed a fine day for Red Bull by claiming third.

The result marks the first time this year that a car running without the controversial 'double-decker' diffuser has taken pole position.

"On Saturday morning we had a problem with the car," said Vettel. "The mechanics did a very good job and fixed the car. Basically it is all down to them.

"We have the best position for Sunday but no points yet. There is a long way to go and we have to keep digging."

Brawn GP's Jenson Button will have to make his bid for a third successive victory from fifth on the grid after managing a time of 1:36.532secs while world champion Lewis Hamilton will start in ninth in his revamped McLaren.

Button was out-qualified for the first time this season by team-mate Rubens Barrichello, who secured fourth place, while Toyota's Jarno Trulli will start sixth.

Williams' Nico Rosberg, who has dominated the majority of the practice sessions so far this season, was seventh fastest while Kimi Raikkonen secured eighth in his Ferrari, which was running without KERS for the first time this season.

Rookie Sebastien Buemi of Toro Rosso progressed to Q3 for the first time this year and completed the top 10.