Albert Park, Melbourne, Saturday 17th March 2007
Fernando Alonso MP4-22 03
Lewis Hamilton MP4-22 04
T-car (Fernando) MP4-22 01
2007 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes drivers Fernando Alonso and Lewis
Hamilton will start tomorrow's Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne
from second and fourth positions respectively after setting
times of 1m26.493 and 1m26.755.
Qualifying Session One: Qualifying Session Two:
Qualifying Session Three:
Fernando: 3 laps, 1:26.697 (4th) 6 laps, 1:25.326(1st) 10
laps,
1:26.493 (2nd)
Lewis: 3 laps, 1:26.674 (2nd) 3 laps, 1:25.577 (3rd) 10 laps,
1:26.755 (4th)
FAST FACTS
Why does Saturday morning practice remain useful for the team
when Friday's two sessions have been extended? "The track
conditions are continuously evolving and consequently the
team always want as much running as possible. Also overnight
the engineers have had a chance to reflect on the information
obtained during Friday's practice - for an example today significant
set-up changes were made to Fernando's car which were evaluated
during practice. Did the wet track conditions in practice
affect the programme? The wet track conditions yesterday and
this morning have affected our planned programme. In addition
there was a significant red flag interruption during the second
session yesterday but these things happen and you work around
them. What will happen to the cars before the race? Immediately
after qualifying both cars go into Parc Ferme conditions.
However the team are allowed to conduct a number of safety
checks. The cars go into Parc Ferme overnight and are returned
to the teams at 07.30 Sunday morning.
FERNANDO ALONSO "A great way to start
the season for the team and I. We have worked so hard over
the winter to get to where we are today and I would like to
thank everybody for their efforts. There is still a slight
gap to Ferrari but the improvements that have been made since
the Bahrain test are fantastic. The car feels good. We made
some changes this morning and worked on the set-up to prepare
for qualifying and it seems to have worked out well. I'm also
pleased that Lewis is right up there with me which put us
both in the best position to score points for ourselves and
the team. I can't wait for the race."
LEWIS HAMILTON "I'm overwhelmed to
be on the second row for my first Grand Prix. A huge thank
you to the team who have worked so hard both here at the track
and back at base. This weekend is what I have been preparing
myself for during the past 13 years and I'm enjoying every
moment. I think we are in with a good chance in the race.
Basically I want to get a good start and then work hard to
score as many points for the team and myself. I'm not going
to make any predictions because anything can happen but so
far so good."
RON DENNIS "Both drivers have continued
their great work with the team throughout this weekend. Fernando
clearly is an invaluable asset to the team and nobody within
the organisation has anything but praise for Lewis' efforts
so far in his first Grand Prix weekend. We are all looking
forward to the race tomorrow."
NORBERT HAUG "Of course it was very
important to start in the top five in this year's first Grand
Prix, so I'm very happy with Fernando's and Lewis' grid positions.
The team did a very good job today and both drivers were first
class – my compliments to both of them. The race tomorrow
will be very challenging as I think more than three teams
will be fighting for podium finishes."
|
