Formula One Highlights: Japanese Grand Prix, Qualifying – Part 4
The feature continues with highlights from the second qualifying session. Things were heating up as it was a genuine battle for the top 10 places. As far as cars 11th to 17th were concerned, it was the end of the road for them as far
as qualifying was concerned.
Felipe Massa had started his hot lap after a dive into the pits as Ferrari had opted for a set of soft compound Bridgestones. The switch from the harder compounds to the softer rubber indicated that the Ferrari camp were desperate to get their driver into
the final qualifying period. The pressure was mounting and the Brazilian himself knew that the weight of the fans, his team and team mate was too much for him to lose in a matter of seconds. It was perhaps down to that pressure that the Ferrari went slightly
offline on its flying lap. However, Massa was still ‘slightly’ quicker than 10th position. However, it was a sign of worse things to come as the Brazilian had a terrible third sector who then failed to improve his grid position. Massa remained at
the 11thposition.
After the misfire, the Ferrari camp looked set to make amends and started another sprint across the Suzuka circuit. Meanwhile, the chequered flag was out as drivers scampered to register their respective final laps, the obvious question arose - could the
Ferrari of Felipe Massa make it through?
Michael Schumacher was unable to improve his position and remained stuck on the 10th place. Thankfully for the German, Massa failed to make further inroads and was effectively eliminated! In the past, the Japanese Grand Prix has been a hunting
ground for the Ferraris - a venue that has seen Michael Schumacher winning a record 6 times which appeared to be too challenging an outing for the Ferrari in 2010. However, with his team mate doing relatively well, the blame shifted to the bearer of the scarlet
car steering wheel. It eventually proved to be a very disappointing qualifying for Ferrari and Massa. The team was counting on their Brazilian driver to dock points of other championship contenders.
The drivers eliminated from the race included Nick Heidfeld, Felipe Massa, Petrov, Kobayashi, Sutil, Alguersuari and Liuzzi. While the latter three might have been able to draw out the positives based on the extent of their car performances, it unfolded
as a colossal disappointment for the other three.
The classification for the second qualifying session is as follows:
S. Vettel
M. Webber
L. Hamilton
J. Button
F. Alonso
R. Barrichello
N. Rosberg
N. Hulkenberg
R. Kubica
M. Schumacher
N. Heidfeld
F. Massa
V. Petrov
K. Kobayashi
A. Sutil
J. Alguersuari
V. Liuzzi
Red Bull was comfortably quicker than their competitors with a second place Webber was a whole three tenths quicker than third place. However, as far as the number of laps were concerned, the distribution was somewhat similar. Both Red Bulls managed the
feat of leading the pack with a total of 8 laps a piece. The only cars in double digit with respect to their stint on the track were the two Ferraris. Fernando Alonso, again, could be admired for his sheer determination for going around the circuit 10 times
in the second qualifying session. However, owing to his limited number of engines remaining, (this arguably being his second last one) the Spaniard seems to be living on the edge and should ideally look to be more conservative. While effectiveness has been
a trademark of the Ferrari driver, he needs to be a little efficient as well.
Turning our attention to the second Ferrari, Felipe Massa’s relegation proved to be ‘the’ upset of the Japanese Grand Prix qualifying. The Brazilian, as much as he resents it, is performing nothing short of a ‘2nd choice’ driver which is something
that could have been an option in the early days, bearing in mind the Schumi-Barrichello days, is not an option as the sport has become increasingly competitive. At the front end of the championship, both cars from the Red Bull and McLaren Mercedes camp are
often expected to be right up there in the top 5. After the lacklustre performance, Massa’s stay with the Italian giants could be in jeopardy.
Coming up next, highlights from the third and FINAL qualifying session from Suzuka…
Stay tuned…
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