Formula One Highlights: Japanese Grand Prix, Qualifying – Part 3
After the somewhat lack-lustred first qualifying phase, the second qualifying session got underway. With the track drying up lap after lap, it was expected that the lap times would improve. It should be kept in mind that the Q2 is a 15 minute session.
As the clock for the second round of qualifying ticked off, the two Ferraris led the pack out on to the track. 15 altogether were on track, only the Mercedes cars of Rosberg and Schumacher decided to stay. Massa and Alonso began their hot laps. After setting
a time of 1 minute 32.097 seconds, Massa was quickly deposed by his team-mate with a 1 minute 31.819 second time. At the point in time however, it was a Ferrari 1-2.
Hulkenberg and Kubica also managed to lap quicker than the Brazilian Ferrari driver. The Williams too, were on the verge of making their mark on the time sheet and had looked strong so far in qualifying. Meanwhile, Red Bull Racing’s Mark Webber preceded
even Fernando Alonso and managed to set the fastest lap.
In no time at all, the championship contenders occupied the top 5 positions – a feat repeated several times throughout the season. The order was Mark Webber, followed by Jenson Button, Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton. The 2007 champion
and McLaren Mercedes driver had a poor on-track stint leading up to Q2 and was expected to improve.
As things stood, Petrov, Sutil, Heidfeld, Alguersuari, Liuzzi, Rosberg and Michael Schumacher were now in the relegation zone. The two Mercedes cars were finally out on track as they posed to get out of the relegation zone and reach a position that justified
both; car and driver.
Rosberg started his hot lap and was able to set the 7th fastest time, demoting Kobayashi to 11th. Schumacher started off with 10th fastest with his exploits enough to effectively shun Massa to the relegation zone.
All the drivers were now set to post one more timed lap and try to make it to Q3. Massa headed back on to the track with a softer compound option while Alonso also followed suit. It looked to be a sensible and rather ‘current’ move from the Ferrari camp.
The softer tires, unlike the harder compound Bridgestones were ideal for a shootout involving a lap or two. The softer rubber warms up quickly and is therefore able to ensure competitive lap time a lot earlier than what the harder compound could offer.
At this point, Massa was starting his hot lap from 11th and needed to set a quick lap to see himself safely through to the final round of qualifying. Despite going slightly offline on his flying lap, the Brazilian Ferrari driver still looked quicker
than the 10th position.
But, such expectations were short lived as Massa had a terrible S3 and was therefore unable to improve his grid position. He remained in 11th as the pressure mounted up. Massa had made news in many tabloids before the race weekend and it was being
suggested that the Brazilian was the ‘new Barrichello’.
Despite the former Sauber driver dismissing such claims linking him to a Ferrari 2nd seater, the viewers and Formula One pundits saw little credibility in his words due to his recent performances. However, one thing was clear; be it a first or
second choice driver, Ferrari is almost always expected to see the front end of the grid.
If the driver wanted to make a name for him, he had to manage something more substantial than the 11th fastest. Massa had to find his way to the up-end of the grid classifications to offer some respite for his Spaniard compatriot. He looked set
to have another go amends. Massa was on his hot lap as the Ferrari camp prayed for a comeback on the cards.
Stay tuned...
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