Formula One Highlights: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Qualifying. Part 2
Welcome back as we head to the latter stages of the first qualifying session from Abu Dhabi. With the Bridgestones getting upto racing temperature, let us get straight into the action without further ado.
Robert Kubica made his first impression in qualifying. The Polish driver managed 13th fastest on his first timed lap and was definitely expected to improve based on the high standards the Renault driver has single handedly set for himself. Kobayashi
went 17th quickest – Right on the edge of the relegation zone.
All 24 cars had set a timed lap as the session headed to its final 5 minutes – Lotus, Virgin and HRT were in the relegation zone along with Alguersuari in the Toro Rosso. There was bound to be a final dash for places as all the drivers were on track barring
the Red Bulls, Lewis Hamilton, Felipe Massa and Michael Schumacher.
Kobayashi was out on a hot lap as he looked to improve from his 17th. The Japanese driver managed to do just that as he went 12thfastest at 1 minute 41.621 seconds. He was safely through to Q2. Alguersuari still remained the non regular
driver in the elimination zone. The top 5 drivers chose to remain the pits as their fate was sealed for a chance to race it out in round 2 of qualifying.
Jenson Button needed to make a name for him especially since his team mate was giving a good show of the capabilities of a McLaren Mercedes engine. The former Brawn GP driver set the 5th fastest time at 1 minute 40.877 seconds. Meanwhile, 18th placed
Aluersuari was three tenths slower than his team mate Buemi who occupied the final spot for Q2. The Spaniard needed to find a considerable time to make it to the following round. Button was still out on track and it appeared that he still had a point to prove
despite being safely through.
The chequered flag was out. Times were expected to come in as drivers completed their final hot laps. The session came to a dramatic end as Alguersuari set a 1 minute 41.707 which was enough to bump his team mate in the relegation zone. However, with Buemi
still on his hot lap, it was still not over. Moments later though, it was confirmed that Alguersuari had done just enough as the second Toro Rosso failed to improve. Buemi was subsequently eliminated.
The drivers in the clear for Q2 were:
F. Alonso – Ferrari N. Rosberg – Mercedes GP S. Vettel – Red Bull L. Hamilton – McLaren Mercedes M. Webber – Red Bull J. Button – McLaren Mercedes R. Barrichello – Williams F. Massa – Ferrari N. Hulkenberg – Williams V. Petrov – Renault K. Kobayashi – BMW Sauber F1 M. Schumacher – Mercedes GP R. Kubica – Renault N. Heidfeld – BMW Sauber F1 A. Sutil – Force India V. Liuzzi – Force India J. Alguersuari – Toro Rosso
The drivers failing to make it to the second qualifying session were:
S. Buemi – Toro Rosso J. Trulli – Lotus F1 H. Kovalainen – Lotus F1 T. Glock – Virgin F1 L. di Grassi – Virgin F1 B. Senna – HRT F1 C. Klien – HRT F1
Fernando Alonso proved to be the best driver in the session not only for his fastest 1 minute 40.170, but also for accomplishing the feat in a mere 7 laps as opposed to the second place driver Nico Rosberg who went around 10 times in the period. However,
the Red Bulls were not to be discounted just yet as Vettel was a mere two tenths slower than Alonso after just 6 laps, as was Webber with a 1 minute 40.690 with the same amount of laps as his young German team mate. Lewis Hamilton was not far from Vettel as
a meager 0.007 separated the two drivers.
The first qualifying session was done and dusted. After the 7 car elimination, the competition was only going to get tougher for the 17 cars in the mix.
Stay tuned to Bettor.com for P3…
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