Vettel, Webber on front row at Australian GP

Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel has taken his second straight pole of the Formula One season by besting teammate and local hope Mark Webber in qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix.

Vettel's time of 1 minute, 23.919 seconds was just 0.1 of a second faster than Webber, who will start from second on the grid at his home race.

Ferrari pair Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa qualified third and fifth respectively, separated by McLaren's Jenson Button. Mercedes drivers Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher will start from sixth and seventh.

The surprise early elimination from qualifying was McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, who did not advance to the last of the qualifying sessions and will start from 11th on the grid.