Vettel focused on titles not records

Sebastian Vettel may have joined some illustrious company following his 34th pole position at the Japanese Grand Prix but he will put it to the back of his mind as he looks to take another step towards a third straight World Championship.

A stunning lap early in Q3 ensured the German recorded his fourth pole in a row at Suzuka, as championship leader Fernando Alonso could only manage the seventh-fastest time. Top spot looked under threat when the stewards investigated allegations he had impeded Alonso at the chicane late in the session, but Vettel was allowed to keep his place after receiving a reprimand.

As a result Vettel moves above Jim Clark and Alain Prost on the all-time list of pole winners, leaving him behind only Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher, arguably the two greatest drivers the sport has ever seen. "I think Michael has a lot of records that will probably stay there forever," he said. "You don't really jump into the car thinking about those sort of things."

He continued: "Obviously, when you end up here and end up with people telling you some things it's nice for all of us, but it's not the number one motivation that makes you jump into the car.

"I enjoy what I do a lot and on tracks like this on soft tyres, low fuel, you really feel what the cars can achieve and I think our job becomes very, very special and unique in the world.

"That's what I enjoy most. Obviously, if you're successful then it feeds on itself. I think they are quite a long way ahead as well, so we will see. We have to work, obviously, focus, step by step, and not think about those kind of things."