Sebastian Vettel on pole in Russian Grand Prix

Championship leader Sebastian Vettel admitted it felt "fantastic" to lead Ferrari to their first front row lock out in nine years after he took pole position in Saturday’s thrilling qualifying session for the Russian Grand Prix

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel celebrates after claiming pole position on Saturday. Pic/AFP

Championship leader Sebastian Vettel admitted it felt "fantastic" to lead Ferrari to their first front row lock out in nine years after he took pole position in Saturday’s thrilling qualifying session for the Russian Grand Prix.

The four-time world champion’s blistering fastest lap and Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen’s second place on the grid brought to an end rivals champions Mercedes long and dominant supremacy in qualifying.

The 29-year-old German outpaced Raikkonen by 0.059 seconds with another Finn, Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes, third fastest with less than a tenth of a second separating the top three.

Britain’s Lewis Hamilton was fourth fastest, the first time Mercedes failed to have a car on the front row for 31 races.

"If you have a rhythm here it feels fantastic," said Vettel, who has won the last nine races at which he started from pole position. "And I am glad I got it back. It is great to have both cars on the front row, but it is only part of the job done."

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