Vettel takes pole position

GERMANY'S Sebastian Vettel put returning compatriot Michael Schumacher in the shade with pole position for Red Bull at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix. Schumacher, the seven-times champion, qualified seventh for Mercedes.

Britain's world champion Jenson Button will be alongside the former Ferrari ace in eighth after sneaking his McLaren into the final phase of qualifying.

Ferrari's Brazilian Felipe Massa, returning for his first race since his serious head injury last July, qualified second with new team-mate and double world champion Fernando Alonso one place behind. McLaren's Lewis Hamilton starts fourth.

"It's a big surprise," said Vettel, who had mechanical problems in practice on Friday. "In winter testing, no-one really knew where everyone was.

"Sunday is going to be a long race, the first of 19, and it's not going to be a sprint. It will be an endurance event."

He congratulated Massa, a double winner in Bahrain in the past, for his comeback from life-threatening injuries sustained in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix last year.

"Big respect for what he has achieved," he said. "First race, he's back and bang, bang, bang. It's good to have him back."

Massa returned the compliment with a grin. "It's just fantastic to hear that. I want to be in your place but I'm happy for you," he replied.

Germany's Nico Rosberg qualified fifth, ahead of team-mate Schumacher, with Vettel's Australian team mate Mark Webber sixth.

Towards the back, Virgin Racing were the best of the new teams with Germany's Timo Glock qualifying 19th. Lotus pair Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen were 20th and 21st while Hispania filled the back row. Indian Karun Chandhok made his debut for Hispania , qualifying last alongside Brazilian team-mate Bruno Senna, the nephew of the late triple champion Ayrton.