Story highlights
- Hamilton faces mounting mechanical problems
- Rosberg in form to win 4th straight F1 race
- Vettel faces a five-place grid penalty
- Valtteri Bottas qualified third
(CNN)Nico Rosberg sailed through the qualifying rounds in Sochi to earn pole position for the main event on Sunday. But while the German is in excellent shape to begin the F1 campaign with four straight victories, his teammate Lewis Hamilton has suffered another setback.
The defending champion withdrew from the third qualifying round when he had a mechanical problem related to his power supply.
Although the Englishman may avoid a penalty for his early withdrawal, he's not likely begin the race higher than 10th on the grid on Sunday.
Hamilton's turbo charger was changed before the race, but apparently still has faults. Whatever technical hitches that face Hamilton's vehicle must be corrected within the next 24 hours if he's to realistically challenge Rosberg this season.
"It's the same power that i lost in China," said the Mercedes driver to Sky Sport after coming off the track. "There is nothing I can do."
"I never give up," he added.
German Sebastian Vettel finished second for Ferrari, but faces a five-place grid penalty because of gearbox failure prior to the qualifier. Vettel's first lap collision with teammate Kimi Raikkonen in China is the cause of the premature replacement.
Valtteri Bottas of Finland and Williams finished third.
Did you know Lewis Hamilton was an art lover? 02:34
"It felt awesome out there. The car was balanced perfectly and through the weekend we just progressed so much," said Rosberg. "I haven't thought too much about tomorrow yet. Of course, the way the grid is, it does help me out a lot to get that win tomorrow."
