Mark Webber made the most of the tricky conditions at Silverstone to take his second pole of the season. The Red Bull man appeared to be embroiled in a three-way battle for top spot in Q3 but a sudden shower spoiled what hinted to be the most thrilling shootout of the season. Webber’s first run, which was just fractions faster than Vettel, secured his eighth career pole.
Another Red Bull lockout it may be but for only the second time this season it is not Vettel who leads the way, much to the surprise of many. My step brother is adamant that Vettel would have usurped Webber to pole in the end but I am not so sure. I mentioned after qualifying in Valencia that Webber appeared to be finally getting to grips (excuse the pun) with the Pirelli tyres and on a circuit which is almost a home race for the Oxford-based Australian, he was primed to steal Sebastian’s thunder.
Their nearest challenger was Fernando Alonso who, after a low key opening to the weekend, was just over a tenth shy of Webber’s time. He holds a significant speed advantage over Felipe Massa in the sister Ferrari, and will be Red Bull’s big threat tomorrow.Who knows what may have occurred without that late downpour but either way Mclaren were unexpectedly lacklustre. Jenson Button left it late to secure his place in Q2 after beginning the session on intermediates and could only manage fifth in Q3.
Lewis Hamilton, though, was to suffer far greater. With showers approaching, his team inexplicably put him on used soft tyres for his first run and as the seconds ticked down, he was left skating on a damp track. For the home favourite, tenth was the best he could muster. With rain anticipated for tomorrow both Brits will keen to slalom their way through the pack.
The best qualifying performance of the week was from a British driver, but not from whom you may expect. Paul di Resta, competing in his maiden home race in F1, made it not only into Q3 but onto the third row of the grid for tomorrow’s race and will line up a quite brilliant sixth. Just behind him on the grid is Pastor Maldonado, who has looked very impressive of late. It is clear that over one lap, The Venezuelan is now faster than his significantly experienced team mate Rubens Barrichello. Given many believed his sponsorship and not speed got him into F1, his recent performances have been a pleasant surprise.
Controversy and off-track politics have gone hand in hand at Silverstone in recent season and this year has been no different. In 2009, we had the FOTA v FIA which threatened to break up the sport, while last year we had ‘Wing-gate’ after Vettel’s front wing broke on his car and the team made the unusual decision to switch his for Webber’s, much to his immense irritation. This year was just as controversial. The decision to ban the off-throttle blown exhaust systems caused friction between the teams, and bizarrely an emergency meeting was called two hours before the start of qualifying between the technical principals of each team. It was agreed that the teams would only run with just 10% of the throttle open when the driver lifts off.
The ban will hinder more teams than others and prior to qualifying; it was thought to be pacesetters Red Bull along with Renault that would struggle most. However, Mclaren appeared to suffer most in qualifying while Ferrari gained major strides. This is only a temporary solution and the Technical Group will have a second meeting tomorrow in a bid to reach a unanimous decision.
Back on track, Michael Schumacher’s qualifying perils continued as he could only manage thirteenth on the grid. He opened the session on intermediate tyres and when he switched to slicks the pace was just not there. Another surprise from Q2 was Heikki Kovalainen. Not expected to be higher than 18th, the Finn stole a march on the rather naïve strategic decisions from the Toro Rosso pit wall and finished ahead of both to make it into Q2. It is the eighth time this year he has out-qualified Jarno Trulli. Debutant Daniel Ricciardo brings up the rear of the field and was disappointed not to have been closer to those in front.
His fellow countryman heads the field for the second time this season and it is a critical weekend for Webber. His Twitter account is called ‘Aussie Grit’ and he will need to showcase some of that tenacity tomorrow. He overcame his team-mate last year which nearly saw his team implode in the midst of their bitter rivalry. He must beat Vettel again here tomorrow, but will keen to do so in less bitter circumstances.
British GP grid positions
1. Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull 1m30.399s
2. Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Red Bull + 0.032
3. Fernando Alonso (Spa) Ferrari + 0.117
4. Felipe Massa (Bra) Ferrari + 0.725
5. Jenson Button (Gbr) McLaren + 1.590
6. Paul di Resta (Gbr) Force India + 1.530
7. Pastor Maldonado (Ven) Williams + 1.534
8. Kamui Kobayashi (Jpn) Sauber + 1.729
9. Nico Rosberg (Ger) Mercedes + 1.810
10. Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) McLaren + 1.977
11. Adrian Sutil (Ger) Force India + 0.977
12. Sergio Perez (Mex) Sauber + 0.984
13. Michael Schumacher (Ger) Mercedes + 1.016
14. Vitaly Petrov Renault (Rus) + 1.094
15. Rubens Barrichello (Bra) Williams + 1.479
16. Nick Heidfeld (Ger) Renault + 2.165
17. Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) Lotus + 3.181
18. Jaime Alguersuari (Spa) Toro Rosso + 2.575
19. Sebastien Buemi (Swi) Toro Rosso + 3.079
20. Timo Glock (Ger) Virgin + 3.533
21. Jarno Trulli (Ita) Lotus + 3.786
22. Jerome D’Ambrosio (Bel) Virgin + 4.484
23. Tonio Liuzzi (Ita) HRT + 4.814
24. Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) HRT + 5.389
Josh.
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