It was a difficult session for the drivers given the changing conditions with many expecting Mark Webber to lead the way.However, the Aussie just didn't have the pace to challenge leaving Vettel and Lewis Hamilton to fight for pole position.
With the chequered flag having already waved, Hamilton crossed the line with a 1:48.730 to take provisional pole.
But, moments later, Vettel posted a 1:48.298 to pip the McLaren driver by 0.432s and claim his ninth pole of the season.
Webber was third ahead of Felipe Massa, Nico Rosberg and the impressive Jaime Alguersuari.
Bruno Senna qualified in seventh place in his first race weekend for Lotus Renault, beating Fernando Alonso, Sergio Perez and Vitaly Petrov.
Meanwhile, Michael Schumacher's qualifying came to an end after just one and a half minutes into qualifying when his right rear wheel came off as he exited Malmedy corner, sending him crashing into the barriers before sliding across the track and eventually coming to a halt in the Rivage gravel trap. He will line-up at the very back of the grid.
Adrian Sutil was another crasher as he lost the back end of his Force India during Q2, sliding down the track and destroying his car's front nose. His shunt brought out the red flags.
Times
01. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m48.298
02. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m48.730 + 0.432
03. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m49.376 + 1.078
04. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m50.256 + 1.958
05. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m50.552 + 2.254
06. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m50.773 + 2.475
07. Bruno Senna Renault 1m51.121 + 2.823
08. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m51.251 + 2.953
09. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m51.374 + 3.076
10. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1m52.303 + 4.005
11. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 2m04.692 + 1.924
12. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 2m04.757 + 1.989
13. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 2m05.150 + 2.382
14. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 2m07.349 + 4.581
15. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 2m07.777 + 5.009
16. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 2m08.106 + 5.338
17. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Renault 2m08.354 + 5.586
18. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 2m07.758 + 5.945
19. Jarno Trulli Lotus-Renault 2m07.773 + 5.960
20. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 2m09.566 + 7.753
21. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 2m11.601 + 9.788
22. Tonio Liuzzi HRT-Cosworth 2m11.616 + 9.803
23. Daniel Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth 2m13.077 + 11.264
24. Michael Schumacher Mercedes no time
Source: Planet-F1
