Vettel, Button and the Toro Rossos went out early and popped in their first laps. All the others decided to stay in and have only one flying lap in the session. Vettel popped in the fastest lap ever around the Shanghai circuit with a 1.33.706, which is impressive given that they're bouncing off the limiter at 311/312kph on the back straight, where the likes of Mercedes and Renault are able to do 322kph.
Vettel first, Button second, Hamilton 3, Rosberg 4, Alonso 5, Massa 6, Alguersuari 7, Di Resta 8, Buemi 9th, and Petrov 10th after stopping in Q2
Great Qualifying for Mercedes with Rosberg, Di Resta takes Top Rookie prize with his highest ever quali, Alguersuari shows up his teammate but both in the top ten, and Massa comes in less than a tenth behind Alonso.
