Chinese Grand Prix 2011: 2nd Qualifying session – Formula One highlights (part 1)
Following late drama in the first qualifying session, the drivers relegated and the ones still hanging on, were left with a lot to ponder, heading into the next stint of qualifying. The top 17 cars had the next round of qualifying to contend with while the latter 7 had to make preparations for the race that awaited them on the following day.
Despite qualifying bottom of the charts, there was much to rejoice for the Hispania Racing Team. The HRT cars safely made it into the race by qualifying a second and a half clear of the 107 percent time. To those not fully aware of the phenomena, it means that all cars need to qualify well within a time frame that is less than 107 percent of the time posted by the driver topping the time sheets.
Since Nico Rosberg went fastest in the first practice session with a time of 1 minute 35.272 seconds, the 107 range lied between the brackets of 1 minute 35 to 1 minute 42 seconds. The slower of the Hispania cars was a 1 minute 40.445 seconds by Narain Karthikeyan.
Soon after, Mark Webber was seen getting out of his car and walking back to the Red Bull garage, clearly very disappointed. It seemed rather unrealistic seeing a Red Bull on one end evidently dominating proceedings so far in the weekend as opposed to another one failing to make it even past the first hurdle in qualifying.
With the first qualifying session done and dusted, all remaining 17 cars headed into their respective pit garages; patiently awaiting the start of the second qualifying period.
Unlike the first qualifying session which is of 20 minutes, the second qualifying period is a 15 minute stint.
Moments later, the second qualifying session kicked off and both the STRs left the pits at the same time. Both cars strolled around the track to get some much needed heat into their Pirellis and started off their respective hot laps as they crossed the start finish line. Meanwhile, on the sidelines, Mark Webber was spotted talking to some FIA officials.
The two Toro Rossos made their way on track. Interestingly, both drivers had opted for the soft compound Pirellis for the early stages. The two SRTs were about to set the first timed laps for Q2.
Stay with us at bettor.com to find out how things unfolded in round 2 of qualifying in this highlights package.
Continued in part 2...
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