Nico Rosberg saved his best for last and surprised everyone setting the fastest time of the week end when it counted, in Q3 today. This is the second race in a row with a Mercedes leading the field.
Next to Rosberg will be Sebastian Vettel, two and a half tenths down. Fernando Alonso made some mistakes on his final hot lap is in P3. Next to him will be Felipe Massa, starting unlike everyone else in the top ten, on the harder Pirelli compound.
Lewis Hamilton had the fourth fastest time but had to take a five spot penalty for changing his gearbox, he will start P9 next to his old team mate Jenson Button. Webber was behind Hamilton on the time sheets but has three spot penalty left over from China so he will be P8 on the grid, next to Kimi Raikkonen.
Webber and Hamilton's penalties move the two Force India to the third row, a great result for them.
Pos Driver Team/Car Time Gap
1. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m32.330s
2. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m32.584s + 0.254s
3. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m32.667s + 0.337s
4. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1m32.762s + 0.432s +5
5. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m33.078s + 0.748s +3
6. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m33.207s + 0.877s
7. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m33.235s + 0.905s
8. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1m33.246s + 0.916s
9. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault 1m33.327s + 0.997s
10. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes
Q2 cut-off time: 1m33.702s Gap **
11. Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 1m33.762s + 1.016s
12. Sergio Perez McLaren-Mercedes 1m33.914s + 1.168s
13. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m33.974s + 1.228s
14. Nico Hulkenberg Sauber-Ferrari 1m33.976s + 1.230s
15. Valtteri Bottas Williams-Renault 1m34.105s + 1.359s
16. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m34.284s + 1.538s
Q1 cut-off time: 1m34.425s Gap *
17. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1m34.425s + 1.547s
18. Esteban Gutierrez Sauber-Ferrari 1m34.730s + 1.852s
19. Charles Pic Caterham-Renault 1m35.283s + 2.405s
20. Jules Bianchi Marussia-Cosworth 1m36.178s + 3.300s
21. Giedo van der Garde Caterham-Renault 1m36.304s + 3.426s
22. Max Chilton Marussia-Cosworth 1m36.476s + 3.598s
107% time: 1m39.379s
* Gap to quickest in Q1
** Gap to quickest in Q2
I was surprised at all the surprise... Goes to show how ignorant commentators and journos are.
ReplyDeleteNico is one of the fastest out there. And clean, and consistent. If better results haven't come up, where because he took the smart choice, was held back by team/teammate etc.
Today he had the right stage to play. He was fastest. Good. About time.
Hope he wins tomorrow. He deserves one. Maybe that will make him 'count' again to the 'expert' eyes...
*were
DeleteTry to find a screen grab of vettle crossing the line with his visor up, looking at the timing screens in disbelief. Priceless.
ReplyDeleteHa! I noticed that as well! Sorry Seb, not this week.
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