Christian Horner has put Sebastian Vettel's failure to seriously challenge for pole in Q3 in Singapore down to slow out-laps, but is still confident for the race.
Pre-qualifying favourite Vettel finished a distant third in Q3
A glum-looking Christian Horner admitted Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull simply lost their rhythm at the decisive moment in qualifying in Singapore after their expected bid for pole failed to materialise in Q3.
Coming off the back of three consecutive fastest times in practice around Marina Bay, Vettel appeared set to conclusively confirm Red Bull's return to form by securing his first pole since Valencia in June. Yet, after being run very close by McLaren's Lewis Hamilton in the first two knockout phases, Vettel experienced a disjointed Q3 with a slow first hot lap followed by a second effort which was unusually a tenth slower than his best time in the previous stage.
That combined with Hamilton upping his own pace by three tenths of a second, and Pastor Maldonado surprising everyone to storm to the front row, meant Vettel will start Sunday's race from a relatively disappointing third place.
Red Bull chief Horner put the sudden struggle down to slow out laps, the top runners having noticeably got caught up amongst themselves at the start of both Q3 runs.
"Q2 we were looking very strong and I think our rhythm just got interrupted with out-laps going into Q3," he told
Sky Sports F1's Ted Kravitz.
"But that's the way it is. Most people managed to find three or four tenths between Q2 and Q3, unfortunately in Seb's case it was a tenth slower which was probably the result of the preparation lap.
"But third is far from a disaster. It's a long hard race and I think we can be in good shape for tomorrow."
Vettel cut a noticeably dejected figure in the post-race press conference and was at a loss to explain why he couldn't find a step forward in pace for Q3.
Nonetheless, like his team boss, he acknowledged that the head of the second row - which still represents his best starting berth for three races - was far from disastrous for his race chances, particularly as the RB8 in his hands had proved stunningly quick up until Q3.
"Yeah, a little bit disappointing - especially Q3," the German said.
"I don't know why we couldn't do the step. Nonetheless I think third is a good position to start from. It's a long race tomorrow, lots of things that can happen.
"I think the pace is there as we have proven through the weekend but surely if you don't do the last step in qualifying then it's a shame because the speed was there. It just didn't come together in the end."
