Alonso takes pole in Silverstone thriller

07/07/2012

Ahead of today's all-important qualifying session the air temperature is 17 degrees C, while the track temperature is 22 degrees. It is dry but blustery, with damp in the air and ominous dark clouds in the distance.

Each of the practice sessions thus far has seen a different pace-setter, Romain Grosjean in FP1, Lewis Hamilton in FP2 and Fernando Alonso this morning, the only one of the sessions held in the dry.

Even though this morning's session was held in much improved conditions, we have still learned little in terms of the true running order - or have we?

Some believe that Ferrari is looking good here - especially if conditions remain the same, while others point to Red Bull and McLaren. However, a late charge from Grosjean on hard tyres suggests Lotus should not be ruled out while one cannot help but feel that Mercedes is playing the long game.

As ever the Saubers are punching well above their weight, while both Williams drivers have been looking good here, particularly Maldonado.

Just minutes before the start of Q1, light rain begins to fall, driven almost horizontally by the strong wind. Ferrari claims that rain will last for around thirty minutes, admitting that this will turn the session into a "lottery". Visibly the rain increases in intensity.

"This will get worse," Petrov is told, "we need to go out immediately, you will do five timed laps."

The lights no green and there is an immediate mad scramble, as he heads down the pitlane Raikkonen is advised that he has no KERS. Within seconds all but Massa are on track. That said, seconds later the Brazilian leaves his garage.

All are on inters, Button, even on his out lap, told that he must keep pushing, pushing, pushing, that every lap will count. Race control announces that DRS is disabled, the session deemed wet.

A number of drivers slipping and sliding already, Kobayashi does well to keep his car under control. The Japanese crosses the line at 1:50.411, elsewhere, the Lotus duo almost take one another out.

As Alonso goes second, ahead of Vergne and Hulkenberg, the Mercedes duo are on hot lap. Rosberg goes quickest but is immediately leapfrogged by his teammate and then Massa (49.568). Raikkonen, who was involved in the incident with his teammate, is last (59.808).

A 49.446 sees Ricciardo go quickest, as Schumacher is told that there will be four or five minutes of light rain before it gets heavier.

Hamilton goes quickest with a 49.175, as Ricciardo and Massa look set to improve.

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