By Brian Bielanski, Editor

(RacingWire) - Reigning Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel picked up where he left off last year by winning the pole for Sunday's Australian Grand Prix. STARTING LINEUP - FULL FIELD REAX

Vettel's fast lap was nearly .8 seconds faster than second place qualifier Louis Hamilton in the McLaren.

"It’s promising for Sunday," said Red Bull's Vettel. "So we’ll see how we get on. We have made the first step and starting the season this way with a pole position is a good sign for the team."

The Red Bull driver was joined in the top three by teammate Mark Webber.

McLaren's Jensen Button and Ferrari's Fernando Alonso rounded out the top five.

HRT driver's Vitantonio Liuzzi and Narain Karthikeyan will not be allowed to compete in Sunday's race.  The FIA imposted new rules for 2011 requiring cars to qualify within 107% of the fastest car in the opening session of qualifying to be eligible for the race.  The Hispania teammates didn't meet the 107% qualifying rule and will sit out the opening round of the World Championship as a result. 

The team struggled to get their 2011 entry ready for the race, foregoing all pre-season testing and only turned a handful of laps prior to qualifying.