12/06/2010
NEWS STORY
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Ahead of today's all-important qualifying session, the air temperature is 23 degrees C while the track temperature is 31 degrees. It is bright and sunny, not at all what was expected.
Lewis Hamilton was quickest this morning, however, Red Bull's Mark Webber ran him close. Over the course of the three sessions it's been pretty evenly matched, however, it is clear that the Mercedes powered cars - and let's not forget the works team and Force India - will be strong here.
That said, there are two big question marks. One concerns the weather, with rain expected at some stage tomorrow afternoon, while the other relates to tyre degradation.
While the super-softs (option) were always expected to go off quite quickly, no-one expected them to degrade quite as quickly as they are, sometimes after only a couple of laps. Furthermore, the prime tyres are degrading also, leading to speculation that some drivers will need to pit twice tomorrow. Indeed, there is speculation that with an eye on tomorrow's race - certainly the opening stint - drivers might opt to rely on the prime tyre this afternoon.
Of course, all this talk of degradation will go out the window if the heavens do open up tomorrow afternoon.
Other than the Red Bull/McLaren saga, Mercedes is looking better here this weekend as are Ferrari and Red Bull. Force India continues to impress as do Sauber, while Williams and Toro Rosso have both looked a little wobbly thus far this weekend.
Of the new teams, Lotus continues to lead the way though Jarno Trulli has had a torrid weekend thus far. Yesterday, Hispania appeared to have the edge over Virgin, however, today the order seems to have been reversed.
The lights go green and Glock is first out of the gates, followed, shortly after, by Petrov, Trulli and Glock. Chandhok, who only managed the length of the pitlane this morning, is another driver eager to get out and get to work.
Petrov posts 20.210 as Kovalainen goes second ahead of Glock, Trulli and di Grassi. Virgin boss grins inanely at the monitor on the pitwall. A big lock up for Petrov which won't due the Russian any favours.
Five minutes into the session, all but Massa and Kubica are on track as Sutil goes quickest (18.143) only to be demoted by Petrov.
Alonso posts 17.864 as Hulkenberg goes fourth and Barrichello ninth. However, all eyes are on Webber who is running on the option tyre. The Australian posts 17.988 to go fifth as Button and Hamilton - both on options - begin their first flying laps.
The order is constantly changing, for a brief moments Alonso and Massa are first and second only to be eclipsed by Petrov and then Webber (17.102).
Hamilton posts 16.614 to take the top spot form Liuzzi, the order changing constantly. Vettel pos up in second and Button third as Webber goes quickest in the second sector. The Australian posts 16.423 to go second to Alonso… yes it's happening that quickly.
As Hamilton posts 15.889, all the usual suspects are at the bottom of the timesheets with no major surprises. That said, there are eight minutes remaining. Hamilton, Vettel, Alonso, Button, Webber and Sutil.
Rosberg goes quickest in the second sector, crossing the line at 16.350 to go fourth, his teammate is currently eighth (16.598).
With four minutes remaining, the Sauber and Toro Rosso drivers are just above the danger zone, however, if it stays as it is Kobayashi will not go forwards into Q2. Of the top twelve only Kubica and Hulkenberg are on track.
Kobayashi fails to improve and appears destined to fail at the first hurdle. Elsewhere, Kubica improves to fifth (16.370).
On his final lap, even in sector one it is clear that Kobayashi has failed. Indeed, Kovalainen goes quicker. However, at the line the Sauber driver posts 18.019 which puts him back ahead of Kovalainen but still out of the remainder of the session.
Quickest was Hamilton, ahead of Vettel, Alonso, Rosberg, Kubica, Button, Webber, Sutil, Petrov and Schumacher.
We lose Kobayashi, Kovalainen, Trulli, Glock, Senna, di Grassi and Chandhok.
When Q2 gets underway it is Petrov who is first out, followed by the Ferrari, Williams and Red Bull duos. Most appear to be on the option tyre.
Petrov is all over the place the Russian pushing really hard. However, spotting a car up ahead just after the hairpin he opts to abort the lap.
Massa goes quickest, but his time is soon beaten Hulkenberg, Alonso, Barrichello, Liuzzi and then Webber (16.292).
A 16.163 sees Vettel go quickest and Kubica third, However, Hamilton crosses the line at 16.053 to quickest of the lot.
Alonso posts 15.954 but then Kubica posts 15.682, it's frantic out there. Vettel posts 15.556 while Schumacher goes seventh ahead of Button.
Rosberg pops up in fourth with a 16.001, as Hamilton goes quickest in the middle sector. Button goes ninth, only just above the danger zone, as Hamilton re-takes the top spot with a 15.528.
Rosberg gets it wrong in the approach to the final chicane, opts to dive into the pits and almost collects a Renault.
Having run wide at the hairpin, Webber aborts his lap, the Australian down in sixth.
With just over four minutes on the clock, all seventeen drivers are on track, Schumacher and Button still just above the danger zone.
Again Webber fails to improve, however, next time around he posts a personal best in the first sector of his next lap. Another personal best in sector two while at the line it's 16.423 which sees the Australian go fourth.
Schumacher fails to improve and remains fourth, while Button is still seeking to improve on ninth.
All eyes on Liuzzi who posts personal bests in sectors one and two, crossing the line at 17.086 to push Button into the drop zone.
Next time around Button improves to seventh with a 16.157, thereby dropping Schumacher into the drop zone. The German fails to improve and consequently misses the cut.
Quickest was Hamilton, ahead of Vettel, Alonso, Kubica, Webber, Button, Rosberg, Liuzzi, Sutil and Massa.
We lose Barrichello, Hulkenberg, Schumacher, Petrov, Buemi, Alguersuari and de la Rosa.
The green light signal the start of Q3, however, this time around there is nobody waiting at the end of the pitlane. Almost a minute later, Button and Hamilton head down the pitlane and the final shoot-out gets underway.
As the Woking cars begin their first flying laps Webber and Alonso head down the pitlane. Button, in particular, appears to be pushing just a little too hard.
Button posts 16.432, however, moments later Hamilton crosses the line at 15.500, almost a second between them.
Alonso can only manage 19.084 while Webber goes fourth with a 19.677. However, the Australian, like his teammate is on the harder tyre. The McLaren, on the other hand, are both on the soft. Very interesting.
Alonso (soft) goes second, only to be demoted by his Ferrari teammate who is also on softs.
Webber improves to second (15.990) as Alonso goes quickest of all in the first sector. Elsewhere, Vettel goes quickest in the first sector.
Alonso goes second (15.685) but is beaten by Webber (15.534), however, Vettel goes quickest in the second sector. However, a mistake at the final chicane means the German blows the lap… will his tyres be good enough for another lap.
Webber goes quickest in the second sector, but Alonso goes quickest of all only to lose out to the Australian who crosses the line at 15.373. Vettel can only manage 15.894 which is good enough for eighth.
Hamilton fails to improve and remains third, as Massa posts 15.688 to go seventh.
A late charge sees Vettel go second (15.420), however all eyes are on Hamilton who at the death posts a 15.105 to take pole from Webber, the first time this year that a Red Bull will not start from pole.
An absolutely electric session, the best of the season thus far, and mainly due to the different tyre strategies. Consequently, Hamilton will start from pole ahead of Webber, Vettel, Alonso, Button, Liuzzi, Massa, Kubica, Sutil and Rosberg.
As Hamilton revels in the adulation from the crowd he is told that he has to stop on track as he is very low on fuel and needs a fuel sample for the stewards. Having allowed the car to coast for a while the Englishman gets out to push it, much to the delight of the crowd.
A fantastic session, that sets up nicely for tomorrow when we can expect the weather and the tyres to play a major part in what promises to be a fascinating race.