Chinese Grand Prix – Shanghai,
Qualifying session
Session Driver Pos. Time Laps Driver Pos. Time Laps
Q1 FM 13th 1.47.231 6 MS 14th 1.47.366 6
Q2 MS 9th 1.45.660 9 FM 13th 1.45.970 9
Q3 MS 6th 1.45.775 9 - - - -
Chassis: MS 255 FM 256
Temperatures: air 22 °C track 23 °C
Jean Todt: “This was a very difficult
qualifying session because of the weather conditions that
did not suit our package. Michael drove exceptionally well
and sixth place is the best he could do. We have limited the
damage but of course it is disappointing that we are unable
to exploit the potential at our disposal, given how things
went in this morning’s free practice. Felipe also did
his best, but because of his engine change, he will have to
start from the back of the grid. However, one should never
forget that the final word of a Grand Prix comes only on Sunday
afternoon, after the race. Apart from the usual parameters
– reliability, strategy, tyre performance, team work
and driver performance – we will also have to take into
account how the weather situation evolves.”
Michael Schumacher: “We did the best
we could in these conditions as our chances were damaged by
the rain and sixth was the best I could do. You could call
it a damage limitation operation. We still have the race ahead
of us and from the third row of the grid, we can still aim
for a good result, given that in the dry, we have proved to
be very competitive. This qualifying session has not compromised
my chances of winning the world championship. Apart from tomorrow’s
race, there are still two Grands Prix to go and everything
is still possible.”
Felipe Massa: “This was definitely
not a good day. First off, I was starting with the handicap
that I would be penalised with a ten place drop down the grid
after the engine change and then the weather conditions certainly
didn’t help me. Obviously we are hoping that we won’t
have a wet race tomorrow, otherwise we will struggle. However,
in the dry, the car is good and if those are the conditions
we race in, then I can still hope to finish in the points.”
Ross Brawn: “A great performance from Michael on a
day when the rain made life very difficult for us. Compared
with the race in Budapest, we along with Bridgestone have
made progress in these conditions, but still not enough to
be competitive compared to the best teams running different
tyres to us. A shame as in this morning’s dry free practice
we saw that our package worked really well. The weather forecast
for tomorrow is for only a slight chance of rain for the period
of the race: honestly we have to keep our fingers crossed
and hope it turns out to be accurate!”
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