SEBASTIAN VETTEL was in imperious form earlier today as he claimed his seventh pole position of the season ahead of the Valencia Grand Prix. Team-mate Mark Webber was second with McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton third.

The defending World Champion is already 60 points ahead of his nearest rival and some racing fans are now beginning to wonder if anyone can stop the young German in his tracks this year.

Can Vettel be stopped? YES

Jenson Button, the winner last time out in Canada, believes that if McLaren and Ferrari manage to maintain a high level of pressure, the title is still not a foregone conclusion.

He said:

“They are so fast and Sebastian is doing such a good job that if we don’t force them into mistakes then it is going to be very difficult to beat them this year.”

The Briton also believes the engine mapping rules being introduced this weekend will affect Red Bull most and has called on Ferrari and Fernando Alonso to get involved in the battle.

What will give the former champion more hope is the fact that it was a mistake by Vettel on the last lap in Montreal that ultimately allowed him triumph – proving his opponent is not quite as invincible as he may seem at times…

Can Vettel be stopped? NO

There was some hope that planned technical changes would bring the competition at the front of the grid a little closer. However, Mark Webber said he is confident his squad will stay ahead despite the unusual mid-season changes.

Speaking at the drivers’ press conference in Spain, he remarked:

“It is nothing new for our team to adapt to a change in regulation. We are quick but the changes, whether they will turn the championship around, I think it is unlikely.”

Vettel’s first real title tilt was destroyed by regular mechanical gremlins and reliability issues two seasons ago; last year, he faced a massive challenge from within his own Red Bull – in the form team-mate Webber – but neither issue has surfaced to date in 2011.

The German’s record in qualifying this year has also been key – seven poles from eight races so far – and unless some of the drivers start to get in on the act, we could see Michael Schumacher’s record of 13 wins in the season under threat.

Full results from Saturday’s qualifying session in Valencia >