Site logo

Hamilton takes Abu Dhabi pole as Vettel falters

NEWS STORY
03/11/2012

Ahead of today's all-important - this is a street circuit after all - qualifying session, the air temperature is 29 degrees C, while the track temperature is 31 degrees. Down by 3 degrees on this morning (air) and 16 degrees (track).

Lewis Hamilton was quickest this morning, as he was yesterday morning, the Englishman heading a McLaren 1-2, as he did yesterday. The Woking outfit looks strong here and Hamilton, in particular, looks fired up.

Suffering a brake issue, other than an installation lap, Sebastian Vettel didn't appear until the dying moments off this morning's session, but even then he was able to go third quickest. Nonetheless, a KERS issues for Mark Webber yesterday suggests that Red Bull still has issues.

Despite a raft of upgrades Ferrari is clearly on the back foot. Having to break the curfew twice as new parts arrive from Italy, the 0.6s gap to Vettel is not what the Italian team needs right now as it battles for both titles. Fernando Alonso continues to give 100% but is it enough?

While Mercedes continues to struggle, Rosberg and Schumacher 13th and 14th both over 1.4s off the pace, Lotus looks to have rediscovered some of its early season pace and form, Romain Grosjean and Kimi Raikkonen both looking strong this weekend.

Williams is another team looking good, as is Force India, while Sauber really does appear to have lost its mojo of late. Then again, wasn't this always a problem for the Hinwill team even when it was bought by BMW.

As Toro Rosso continues to struggle it was interesting to note that both Marussias finished ahead of Petrov, one of many driver still looking to secure a berth for next season.

Vettel doesn't need pole here, just plenty of fresh air between himself and Alonso, but the German would surely appreciate the safety of the front row as opposed to being mixed up with Grosjean and friends.

The lights go green for Q1 and Kobayashi leads the way, followed by Maldonado, Grosjean, Pic and Petrov.

As Kobayashi begin his first flying lap, all but Vettel, Webber, Hamilton, Massa and Rosberg are on track. The Japanese posts 1:43.939.

Maldonado posts 42.595 while Grosjean goes second and di Resta third, all but the Marussias and the HRTS on the prime rubber.

A 43.038 sees Raikkonen go second as Alonso goes quickest in S2, the Spaniard going on to post a 42.574 which sends him to the top of the sheets. Maldonado improves to second and Button third (42.630).

Maldonado retakes the top spot with a 42.375 as Alonso improves to second (42.574). Moments later, the pair are split when Raikkonen crosses the line at 42.525.

Webber and Vettel finally leave the pits, the clock now showing 10:40 on this first phase.

LATEST NEWS

more news >

RELATED ARTICLES

LATEST IMAGES

galleries >

  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images
  • Pitpass.com latest F1/Formula 1 images

POST A COMMENT

or Register for a Pitpass ID to have your say

Please note that all posts are reactively moderated and must adhere to the site's posting rules and etiquette.

Post your comment

READERS COMMENTS

 

No comments posted as yet, would you like to be the first to have your say?

Share this page

X

Copyright © Pitpass 2002 - 2024. All rights reserved.

about us  |  advertise  |  contact  |  privacy & security  |  rss  |  terms