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Rosberg takes Interlagos pole

NEWS STORY
08/11/2014

Nico Rosberg's domination in Brazil continues as he edges out Lewis Hamilton and thereby secures 2014 'pole trophy'

Whilst Lewis Hamilton dominated all three practice sessions in Austin last week, only to lose out on pole to teammate Nico Rosberg, thus far the German has dominated every practice session. Then again, let's not forget it was the Briton who won the race.

Fact is however, that whilst we were guaranteed sunshine in Texas, here at Interlagos we are constantly in doubt when it comes to the weather. We know rain is coming, but we don't know when, and it is this uncertainty, combined with a new track surface which is not working with the tyre choices is all adding to the problem.

Other than the track resurfacing, which includes the pitlane, the pitlane exit has been realigned further to the left to provide a run-off area around the outside of T2, while the pitlane entrance has been realigned to the left in order to allow the pit wall start to be moved further away from the track.

There are two DRS zones. The first has a detection point at the apex of T2, with activation 20m after T3, while the second has its activation point 30m after T13, with an activation point 60m after T15.

Other than the Mercedes duo, which continues to dominate despite both drivers suffering brake issues at some point or another, Williams appears to be best of the rest, while Kimi Raikkonen is looking very good in the F14T thus far.

A late charge saw Jenson Button go sixth this morning while, not for the first time this year, Ricciardo is the dominant Red Bull driver.

The big shock was to see the Force Indias rooted at the bottom of the timesheets whilst both Lotus drivers look to be continuing the form witnessed in Austin. Perez' problems all the worse as he has a 7-place grid penalty following his clash with Adrian Sutil last week. Daniil Kvyat also carries over a grid penalty following his engine change in Austin.

As we await the start of the session the sun is shining, but rain is still predicted (40% possibility) and in terms of tomorrow's race it's almost a certainty.

Air temperature is 25 degrees C, while the track temperature is 37 degrees.

As in Austin, due to the absence of Caterham and Marussia, four drivers are eliminated at the end of both Q1 and Q2.

The lights go green and Sutil gets things underway. Shortly after he is followed by teammate Gutierrez.

The German posts a 1:13.401 to get proceedings underway. Moments later his teammate posts 13.166.

Ricciardo, the first of the big guns to venture out, posts 12.825, as Rosberg and Hamilton both head out, already on the option rubber. The Williams duo sticks with primes, as does Button.

Hulkenberg goes quickest, but is instantly demoted when Bottas posts 11.384.

Hamilton goes quickest (11.223) with Rosberg posting 10.693 moments later, over half-a-second quicker.

"Ay, ay, ay, ay, ay," shouts Alonso, "Why do I have to start a lap in traffic and with no power?" The Spaniard is unhappy and, uncharacteristically, making it public. He was passed by Maldonado on the pit straight only for the Lotus driver to totally overcook it in T1.

Hamilton retakes the top spot with a 10.457 only to lose out to his teammate again as the German bangs in a 10.347.

Whilst both McLaren drivers switch to the soft rubber, the Williams duo stick with primes.

Rosberg, Hamilton, Alonso, Massa, Bottas, Raikkonen, Hulkenberg, Magnussen, Gutierrez and Kvyat.

Maldonado, Grosjean, Vergne and Vettel comprise the drop zone.

Now on options, Button improves to third with an 11.097.

Ricciardo warns that the track is dirty in places with lots of marbles.

Told that his 11.134 is safe, Magnussen is told to box. The Dane is currently fourth.

Kvyat and Gutierrez improve to fifth and sixth and as times continue to tumble the Williams duo - eighth (Masa) and tenth (Bottas) come out again, this time on options.

Vettel improves to thirteenth (11.880), as Massa goes quickest in S1.

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