F1 News - Spanish GP Qualifying Results [S]
May 9, 2009 | 10:17 AM
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F1 News - Spanish GP Qualifying Results [S]
Formula One news: Button seizes pole in Barcelona - GPUpdate.net Formula One
Jenson Button drove a strong lap to confirm a last-gasp pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix, and his third of the season from five qualifying sessions so far. Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel looked to have the top spot until the dying moments but was demoted to second, with Rubens Barrichello in the second Brawn car third on the grid. Felipe Massa qualified fourth in an improved Ferrari.
Once again, crowds at the Circuit de Catalunya were treated with a pleasant day as temperatures reached 23°C (73°F) with the addition of a calm breeze, despite slightly overcast conditions at moments throughout the day.
As qualifying got underway at 2pm local time (GMT +1), all waited with bated breath to see the performance of the Ferrari cars after Felipe Massa and Kimi Räikkönen topped the timesheets in morning practice. The biggest surprise of the day, however, came 20 minutes later as Räikkönen tumbled down the order whilst in the pit lane. Like in Malaysia, Ferrari lost a car from Q1 with the belief that their driver's earlier lap was sufficient to pass to the next phase of the session. The Finn starts the Grand Prix 15th ahead of Bourdais, with Heikki Kovalainen also disappointed to be eliminated and on the back half of Row 9. The two Force Indias of Adrian Sutil and Giancarlo Fisichella line up 19th and 20th.
The first McLaren of Lewis Hamilton enjoyed a more positive day than his team-mate although, as predicted by himself, the World Champion was unable to pass through to the top ten shootout and is 14th, ahead of Sébastien Buemi. Kazuki Nakajima is the first man able to refuel before the race in 11th spot, with Nelson Piquet 12th having dropped out of the top ten with just seconds to go. Nick Heidfeld starts 13th following a crash and lack of running time in practice this morning.
Heading into the final part of the hour, the Brawn team had tipped Rubens Barrichello as the man to beat with a struggling Button losing fractions to his team-mate. The World Championship leader drove a superb lap of 1.20.527, though, beating Vettel's Red Bull by a tenth of a second. Felipe Massa was satisfied to line-up alongside his compatriot on the second row, raising more questions towards the possible result of Räikkönen had Ferrari timed his runs better.
Mark Webber is fifth on the grid and edging out the Toyotas of Glock and Trulli, as Fernando Alonso satisfied his home crowd by qualifying eighth. Robert Kubica cracked the top ten with a completely reformed BMW F1.09 and will begin his race behind Nico Rosberg.
The Spanish Grand Prix will mark the first in Europe this year and includes several updates packages in the field. The race, taking place on a popular testing track, will also be the best test as to how much this year's aerodynamic regulations assist overtaking - the action gets underway at the same time on Sunday.
Jenson Button drove a strong lap to confirm a last-gasp pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix, and his third of the season from five qualifying sessions so far. Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel looked to have the top spot until the dying moments but was demoted to second, with Rubens Barrichello in the second Brawn car third on the grid. Felipe Massa qualified fourth in an improved Ferrari.
Once again, crowds at the Circuit de Catalunya were treated with a pleasant day as temperatures reached 23°C (73°F) with the addition of a calm breeze, despite slightly overcast conditions at moments throughout the day.
As qualifying got underway at 2pm local time (GMT +1), all waited with bated breath to see the performance of the Ferrari cars after Felipe Massa and Kimi Räikkönen topped the timesheets in morning practice. The biggest surprise of the day, however, came 20 minutes later as Räikkönen tumbled down the order whilst in the pit lane. Like in Malaysia, Ferrari lost a car from Q1 with the belief that their driver's earlier lap was sufficient to pass to the next phase of the session. The Finn starts the Grand Prix 15th ahead of Bourdais, with Heikki Kovalainen also disappointed to be eliminated and on the back half of Row 9. The two Force Indias of Adrian Sutil and Giancarlo Fisichella line up 19th and 20th.
The first McLaren of Lewis Hamilton enjoyed a more positive day than his team-mate although, as predicted by himself, the World Champion was unable to pass through to the top ten shootout and is 14th, ahead of Sébastien Buemi. Kazuki Nakajima is the first man able to refuel before the race in 11th spot, with Nelson Piquet 12th having dropped out of the top ten with just seconds to go. Nick Heidfeld starts 13th following a crash and lack of running time in practice this morning.
Heading into the final part of the hour, the Brawn team had tipped Rubens Barrichello as the man to beat with a struggling Button losing fractions to his team-mate. The World Championship leader drove a superb lap of 1.20.527, though, beating Vettel's Red Bull by a tenth of a second. Felipe Massa was satisfied to line-up alongside his compatriot on the second row, raising more questions towards the possible result of Räikkönen had Ferrari timed his runs better.
Mark Webber is fifth on the grid and edging out the Toyotas of Glock and Trulli, as Fernando Alonso satisfied his home crowd by qualifying eighth. Robert Kubica cracked the top ten with a completely reformed BMW F1.09 and will begin his race behind Nico Rosberg.
The Spanish Grand Prix will mark the first in Europe this year and includes several updates packages in the field. The race, taking place on a popular testing track, will also be the best test as to how much this year's aerodynamic regulations assist overtaking - the action gets underway at the same time on Sunday.
Last edited by Barrister; May 9, 2009 at 07:29 PM.
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