Williams driver Nico Hulkenberg took a shock pole position in changeable conditions to give Williams their first pole in over 100 races in an extraordinary qualifying session at Interlagos. The 23 year old German's performance was one of those 'I was there' days. His super-fast laps on slick tyres on a drying track were simply spellbinding; he was over a second faster than Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull. His Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber lines up third ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who at one point in Q3 held provisional pole. As did Fernando Alonso, who is fifth with Hulkenberg's team-mate Rubens Barrichello rounding out the top six. Jenson Button's title challenge is all but over though; he failed to make Q3 and will line up 11th.
But the story of the day was Hulkenberg. Here is the background information; there has been much speculation surrounding his whereabouts for the 2011 season with plenty of stories linking GP2 Champion Pastor Maldonado with his seat. After today's performance however, it would be inconceivable for Hulkenberg to be allowed to leave. It was not a flukey result either, drawing comparisons to Sebastian Vettel's pole for Toro Rosso at Monza in 2008. Both Williams drivers looked strong on the intermediate tyres in Q1 and Q2 but once the German put on the slicks he was in a different league. Three fast laps, one after the other. Bang Bang Bang! It was completely demoralising for the opposition and an unwanted variable for the title challengers to hurdle come race day. Hulkenberg suffered a difficult initial period in F1 despite qualifying fifth in Malaysia but has got much stronger throughout the second half of the season. Today was certainly the crowning moment; for a rookie to take a pole position in his first season is simply staggering. He will do well to remain there for tomorrow's race. It will be interesting to see how the chasing pack approach him. But no matter what happens this weekend, the name on everybody's lips will be Nico Hulkenberg. The boy is a bit special.
Brazilian GP - Qualifying Results
1. Hulkenberg (Williams) 1:14.470
2. Vettel (Red Bull) 1:15.519
3. Webber (Red Bull) 1:15.637
4. Hamilton (McLaren)1:15.747
5. Alonso (Ferrari) 1:15.989
6. Barrichello (Williams) 1:16.203
7. Kubica (Renault) 1:16.552
8. Schumacher (Mercedes) 1:16.925
9. Massa (Ferrari) 1:17.101
10. Petrov (Renault) 1:17.656
11. Button (McLaren) 1:19.288
12. Kobayashi (Sauber) 1:19.385
13. Rosberg (Mercedes) 1:19.486
14. Alguersuari (Toro Rosso) 1:19.581
15. Buemi (Toro Rosso) 1:19.847
16. Heidfeld (Sauber) 1:19.899
17. Liuzzi (Force India) 1:20.357
18. Sutil (Force India) 1:20.830
19. Glock (Virgin) 1:22.130
20. Trulli (Lotus) 1:22.250
21. Kovalainen (Lotus) 1:22.378
22. di Grassi (Virgin) 1:22.810
23. Klien (Hispania) 1:23.083
24. Senna (Hispania) 1:23.796
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