Formula One: Korean Grand Prix, Qualifying Session 1
Hello and welcome to the qualifying session for the first ever Korean Grand Prix! It promised to be an exciting qualifying with different drivers taking the top spot in each of the practice sessions. Hamilton was fastest in P1, Webber was fastest in P2,
while Kubica took honours in the final practice session. It was hard to spot a dominant team as the cars lined up for qualifying; only adding to the excitement. All three practice sessions saw four different teams setting the top four times. Furthermore, Kubica
set the fastest time in P3, and could spoil the party for some of the championship contenders.
Q1 kicked off as Kovalainen was the first man out. A dozen cars followed while an equal amount decided to stay in the pits – It appeared that drivers were waiting for later in the sesion when the track conditions improved.
Kovalainen set a benchmark time of 1 minute 45.450 seconds. Hulkenberg and Petrov began their hotlaps.
Alonso, Massa and Hamilton were out on track! While Button, Vettel, Webber and Kubica on the other hand, chose to bid their time in the pits, hoping to delay their arrival as long as possible.
After the first 6 minutes, a total of 11 drivers had set their times – the quickest of which went to Michael Schumacher at 1 minute 40.557 seconds. However, it was short lived as Petrov went quicker with a time of 1 minute 39.762 seconds.
Track conditions were improving as more rubber was laid on the new surface. Alguersuari proved the significance of delaying his first hot lap as he crossed the line with a time of 1 minute 39.690 seconds. Meanwhile, the Red Bulls headed out of the pits –
This was going to be interesting.
Lewis Hamilton gave proof of the new McLaren rear wing as he entered the 1 minute 38’s. Hulkenberg on the other hand, immediately displayed his credentials as a competative driver as he went a tenth quicker at 1 minute 38.561 seconds.
At the half way mark of the first qualifying session, Button and Kubica were the only two drivers yet to head out to track. The order at the top was Hamilton, Massa and Rosberg.
Fernando Alonso entered the picture. He posted a lap time of 1 minute 37.395 and subsequently claimed top spot. Jenson Button headed out on track to have his say.
While track times were improving, it definitely wasn’t an easy affair as a couple of drivers had off-track moments of their own. Timo Glock spun his Virgin but managed to keep going. Kobayashi had a hiccup too, throwing some dust on the track.
As Button started his hot lap, the order at the top read Hamilton leading Alonso followed by Sebastian Vettel - 3 drivers from 3 different teams. It was interesting to see how the second McLaren would line up in the midst. However, moments later, Button
only managed 14th fastest, perhaps he was on a two-lap run. Kubica began his hot lap, shortly.
Kubica caught up with the HRT of Senna which evidently spoilt his hot lap. It was hard to blame Senna as he couldn’t give way since he was on a flying lap of his own. Button went 10th quickest on his second lap. Kubica managed 11th
fastest after the hold up.
The drivers in the relegation zone were Liuzzi, Trulli, Glock, Kovalainen, Di Grassi, Senna and Yamamoto. The chequered flag was out as the crowd and pit lane alike, awaited the final lap times to see who got relegated.
Sutil was border line from relegtion as he occupied the final safe spot for Q1. He was able to improve that on his final run and after setting a time of 1 minute 38.572 seconds, was safely through to Q2. Buemi also made it through. Liuzzi wasn’t as lucky
as could only manage 18th fastest.
Drivers eliminated in Q1 were:
Liuzzi Trulli Glock Kovalainen Di Grassi Yamamoto Senna
The top 5 drivers for the session were:
Hamilton Vettel Alonso Webber Massa
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