Australian Grand Prix - Qualifying Round-Up
Today's Weather: Warm and sunny, air 23-30C, track 36-42C
Jarno Trulli (Car 11, Chassis TF108-02)
Summary: Safely through to Q3 and row three PROVISIONAL GRID:
6th
FP3 10th Best Lap Time: 1m 26.882s (+1.269s) Laps: 11
Q1 9th Best Lap Time: 1m 26.427s (+0.763s) Laps: 6
Q2 9th Best Lap Time: 1m 26.101s (+0.914s) Laps: 5
Q3 6th Best Lap Time: 1m 28.527s (+1.813s) Laps: 6
"Sixth place is a good start to the season so the result
is satisfying. But it was quite a difficult qualifying session
and I'm still not completely happy with the set-up because
I wasn't able to get the most out of my lap. We've also been
struggling more than we expected with the tyres here. So I
feel there is more potential to come. Our race package is
good so I am positive and optimistic for tomorrow. I just
hope we can do a good race. Our long runs have been strong
with this car during testing so I'll cross my fingers. I'm
really fired up for the season and confident that we can get
some strong results."
Timo Glock (Car 12, Chassis TF108-04)
Summary: Gearbox penalty costly after fine run to Q3 PROVISIONAL
GRID: 14th
FP3 13th Best Lap Time: 1m 27.162s (+1.549s) Laps: 15
Q1 16th Best Lap Time: 1m 26.919s (+1.255s) Laps: 9
Q2 10th Best Lap Time: 1m 26.164s (+0.977s) Laps: 5
Q3 9th Best Lap Time: 1m 29.593s (+2.879s) Laps: 3
"That went well for my first qualifying session back
in F1, and I'm happy to have made it into Q3. Unfortunately
we had to change the gearbox after morning practice so that
will cost me five places, but the afternoon went better. Q1
was tight, then the red flag in Q2 disrupted the session but
my last lap in Q2 was a good one. I lost a couple of tenths
in turn 9 but I made it into Q3 with a really good last sector.
Overall the car was good and I am quite happy with it, so
it was a good job by the team."
Pascal Vasselon - Senior General Manager Chassis
"The first qualifying delivered what was expected - a
lot of surprises, both bad and good. It was very exciting
because at certain points it was very tight between several
teams and drivers. We are quite happy with what we have achieved
today. This shows we have maintained the good form from the
last test session when we introduced our final race package.
But we can't be fully satisfied because the gap to the top
is quite big. We also had a problem with Timo's car during
this morning's practice and we had to change his gearbox.
That means that despite his good performance in qualifying
he will have to drop back five places. So there are still
mixed feelings but thanks to both drivers who did a very good
job today."
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