LEAD: Vettel clinches pole record in Brazil one-two for Red Bull

By Jens Marx Nov 26, 2011, 17:52 GMT

Sao Paulo, Brazil - Sebastian Vettel captured a record 15 pole positions in a season when he was fastest in qualifying for the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix in Sao Paulo Saturday.

The Red Bull driver, already crowned world champion for the second successive season, put in a storming final lap to stay ahead of team-mate Mark Webber, with McLaren's Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton third and fourth.

Vettel clocked one minute 11.918, edging Webber by 0.181 seconds, to start the last race of the Formula One season from the front.

'Yes baby, we've got it. This feels incredible,' Vettel shouted over the team radio after clinching the pole record

The 24-year-old German wrapped up back-to-back world titles four races ago in Japan, and equalled Nigel Mansell's record of 14 poles in a season in Abu Dhabi two weeks ago.

'There has been quite some talk about this record and the best thing was not to think about it at all,' Vettel said.

'I put everything in the last lap and I was very emotional when I crossed the line because I knew whatever happened I gave it my all.

'It's really special. It's different than other poles. Obviously it took that master Nigel Mansell a couple of races less (16 races to Vettel's 19)) to do it but it is still very special to me. Now I'm just happy to be here and start from the front.'

The two Red Bulls dominated, with Webber nearly 0.2 seconds ahead of Button, and Hamilton 0.562 seconds off Vettel's pace.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said it was 'a great final qualifying' for 2011 with the two Red Bull drivers at the front of the grid.

'Sebastian enjoys the statistics and it's a small bit of history for him today. He should really enjoy this moment as there are some illustrious names that he now sits on top of for records for poles in one year,' he said.

Button said he was pleased with his best qualifying in Brazil for the last six years.

'Whatever happens this has been a great season for us but just not quite good enough. Hopefully we can end on a high tomorrow,' he said.

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso was fifth ahead of Nico Rosberg in a Mercedes, with the remaining 10 places filled by Ferrari's Felipe Massa on his home Grand Prix, Adrian Sutil in a Force India, Bruno Senna in a Renault and Michael Schumacher in a Mercedes.