2007 FRENCH GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton will start
tomorrow’s French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours from second
on the grid. Fernando Alonso pitted after his first lap in
the final part of qualifying with a gearbox problem resulting
in the Spaniard having to start from 10th position. In Saturday’s
qualifying, Lewis set a time of 1m15.104 and missed his third
pole position in a row by only seven hundredths of a second.
Qualifying Session One: Qualifying Session Two: Qualifying
Session Three:
Lewis: 3 laps, 1:14.805 (1st) 3 laps, 1:14.795 (1st) 12 laps,
1:15.104 (2nd)
Fernando: 3 laps, 1:15.322 (4th) 3 laps, 1:15.084 (5th) no
timed lap (10th)
LEWIS HAMILTON
"I think starting from the first row is a very good basis
for tomorrow’s race. The team worked very well; improving
in all the practice sessions and the balance of my car is
extremely good. On my final lap in Q3 I braked a bit late
into turn 15 and ran wide. Without this mistake the pole position
would have been possible for me today - I had it there. With
our strategy we should be in good shape and I am looking forward
to the race tomorrow."
FERNANDO ALONSO
"It has not been an easy day so far in terms of luck,
but hopefully we can turn things around tomorrow. I had a
brake sensor issue in this morning’s practice which
cost me some time, and then a gearbox problem in the final
qualifying. It’s a relatively new experience for me
as I have had no problems for such a long time. We will look
at the car when it comes back from Parc Ferme and take things
from there. However anything can happen in the race, and we
will work as hard as we can to score some important points.
Also some people say it may be raining which will lead to
some uncertainties which we might be able to benefit from."
RON DENNIS
"So far this year we have not suffered from any major
technical problems during race weekends and it’s disappointing
that the first one ruined Fernando’s qualifying session
today. He had the speed to qualify on the front row. However
with a good strategy he should be able to make up some positions
in tomorrow’s race, and with the suspected rain adding
some unpredictability we may be able to turn this to our advantage.
Lewis had a trouble-free qualifying, and his front row position
should give him every opportunity for a strong podium finish."
NORBERT HAUG
"We have had the best possible level of reliability throughout
the season so far, but today Fernando had to stop with a gearbox
problem. Sorry for Fernando, everybody in the team will give
it everything to fix today’s problem. With his speed,
Fernando will still have a chance for a good result tomorrow.
Lewis again showed a great and consistent performance, and
he will line up on the front row of the grid for the fourth
consecutive time which is a great achievement."
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