Formula One: Korean Grand Prix, Qualifying Session 3
The final chapter of qualifying was about to begin. The prospect of seeing the top 10 cars on the day was a mouth watering one. Would it be a straight up fight between the Ferraris, Red Bulls and the McLarens or were the Mercedes and the Renault of Robert
Kubica going to gate crash the party?
The third qualifying session got underway. It is worth reminding our readers that the qualifying session in question is a 10 minute spell, unlike the 15 minute time for the first two periods. Webber and Hamilton lead the way out. The two Mercedes and Ferrari’s
Felipe Massa chose to stay back in the pits.
Webber began his hot lap. All drivers looked set to see out Q3 on the softer compound tyres. At the end of his timed lap, the Australian Red Bull driver managed a time of 1 minute 36.917 seconds. His stay at the top didn’t last long as he was beaten by both
Alonso and Hamilton. Robert Kubica managed to slot in between the McLaren and Red Bull. The order at the top saw Alonso leading Hamilton with Kubica, Webber and Button following suit.
Moments later, Sebastian Vettel went 2nd with a time of exactly 1 minute 36 seconds. Jenson Button had an off track moment throwing even more dust on the already grip-challenged track. Hamilton made it a McLaren 1-2 with his stunts off the racing
line. The Briton went off track near the pit lane entrance but managed to stay in control in the end – All in all, a scary few minutes for the McLaren garage.
Michael Schumacher, Rosberg and Massa headed out on track. Based on the timing of their entry, they had little margin for error since just a 1 timed lap was all they could manage. Meanwhile, Felipe Massa was on his hot lap and set the 4th fastest
time.
Mark Webber, who found himself in 6th, was out to make amends and hopefully shoot for the front row of the grids – The attractive bit, so were the rest of the front runners. The Red Bull driver was 3 tenths down after the second sector and managed
2nd fastest just as the chequered flag came out. Hamilton managed 4th while Kubica took P7.
Fernando Alonso was on provisional pole. However, as both Red Bulls were on their final hot laps, there was a likelihood that the front row could be in store for a drastic makeover. After a few nervy seconds, Vettel went quickest followed by Webber. It was
yet another Red Bull 1-2!
Summary
Red Bull got their seventh 1-2 of the season in a thrilling qualifying session. Right upto the final moments of Q3, it appeared like any of the drivers could set the fastest time, but the Red Bulls stole the first row in the dying moments.
Fernando Alonso headed the second row in 3rd, with Lewis Hamilton next to him in 4th. Nico Rosberg and Felipe Massa occupied the third row in 5th and 6th respectively.
Jenson Button had a disappointing qualifying, complaining over the radio of being unable to get heat into the tyres - He started 7th, a huge blow to his championship chances.
Robert Kubica started 8th, disappointing considering he was targeting a top 3 start after setting the pace in the third practice session. Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello completed the top 10 grid positions.
Qualifying was as action packed as expected. With the starting grid finally decided, the next piece in the Korean puzzle was the race itself. With just 2 more rounds to go after this, the significance of the upcoming event was immense – It wasn’t a longshot
calling it the make or break for the top 5.
Brace yourself for the highlights of the upcoming race.
Stay tuned...
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