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Sebastian Vettel gave Red Bull their fourth pole position in four races with a searing late lap in qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix on Saturday.
The German clocked one minute 34.558 seconds to pip team mate Mark Webber with his final lap and claim the eighth pole position of his career -- his third of the year -- and justify his position as favourite in Shanghai.
Vettel led Australian Webber to a Red Bull one-two in the last race in Malaysia and in Shanghai last year and the 22-year-old will take the lead in the drivers' championship with victory on Sunday.
Twice world champion Fernando Alonso of Spain was third quickest for Ferrari and will line up alongside the Mercedes of German Nico Rosberg on the second row of the grid.
Briton Lewis Hamilton had looked quick all day but had to settle for sixth place and a place alongside his McLaren team mate and world champion Jenson Button, who was fifth quickest.
Championship leader Felipe Massa of Brazil was seventh fastest for Ferrari ahead of Poland's Robert Kubica, who was again impressively quick for Renault.
On a cool but sunny Shanghai day, there was never the prospect of the torrential downpour that destroyed McLaren and Ferrari's qualifying last time out in Malaysia. Rain is, however, forecast for Sunday.
(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Alan Baldwin)
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