Vettel takes pole position

If you’re going to be trackside at the Indian Grand Prix (GP) on Sunday, or even if you’re following this at home on your television sets, you need to know who is at the front of the grid. And it’s no surprise, if you’ve been following this season closely, that it is the man who’s already won the 2011 world championship.

Sebastian Vettel put in some blistering quick laps in qualifying and claimed pole position for the first ever Indian GP. It was a special pole position for the German, who equalled Formula 1 legend, Juan Manuel Fangio’s record. It was Vettel’s 13th pole this season and 28th of his career.

Second-fastest was McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton. But, since Hamilton got a three-place grid penalty for ignoring yellow flags during the practice session on Friday, he will only start the race in fifth place. This means the front of the grid, before the five red lights go out, will be all Red Bull. Mark Webber, who clocked the third-fastest time, moves up to second on the grid. Ferrari driver, Fernando Alonso starts the race in third place, with Jenson Button fourth. So, there’s reason to cheer for McLaren and Ferrari fans, too.

If you’re curious about the fate of the tricolour during the Indian GP, rest assured that things are looking good. Adrian Sutil put Force India eighth on the grid, while Paul di Resta will start 13th. As for Narain Karthikeyan – the only Indian driver on the grid – will start the race dead last. On track, Narain clocked the 22nd-fastest time. But, stewards then deemed that the Indian driver impeded the qualifying lap of seven-time world champion, Michael Schumacher, for which he received a five-place grid penalty.

What do we expect from Sunday’s race? Plenty of action, for sure – the circuit is wide enough for overtaking aplenty, dust across the track means cars may slide too, and there’s the all important pitlane exit. It’s close to the first corner, so if drivers aren’t careful, there’s a good chance that there would be a few collisions there.

Hold on tight, as the five red lights go out at the Buddh International Circuit, at 3 pm on Sunday.

Sports Minister Ajay Maken not invited

India’s first ever grand prix is gripping the nation, but the country’s sports minister, Ajay Maken, will not be one of the visitors. He has not been invited. The Indian organisers of the race omitted the sports minister from their list of invitees, following a tax wrangle between them and the government.

Maken, however, says he has no regrets. Speaking to Business Standard from Kochi, he said: “I am in Kochi, to inaugurate the work of laying a synthetic track at the Usha School of Atheletics, located at Kinalur. I am happy to be here.”