Ross Brawn: Our weather forecast predicted rain for the second half of the qualifying session, therefore we did not want to risk being among the last out on track. We tried to do it in such a way that the other teams would not understand our intentions, but they did the same thing anyway. I think we have a slight tyre performance advantage over a distance and so we will keep that in mind as we work on tomorrow's race. I think we will see a very close and exciting race, especially as the forecast is for unsettled weather.

Sam Michael (Technical Director, WilliamsF1): Like other teams, we also took it easy in the pre-qualifying session in order to avoid our drivers having to qualify later in the session as there was the risk of rain. However, the rain did not materialise, although it did get windy in the middle of the second session. Obviously the pace of the car is not strong enough in qualifying at the moment, but the practice pace looked encouraging. We will see what we can do for tomorrow in order to pick up some points in the race.

Mario Theissen (BMW Motorsport Director): Today, qualifying was a gamble. On the one hand it's clear that the track got quicker with every car. On the other hand, rain was expected for the second part of the session. As our weather prediction didn't materialise, our drivers didn't have a chance to compete for a front grid slot due running early in the session. We had no technical problem with the cars.

Ron Dennis: "It goes without saying that we are delighted with Kimi's pole position and the fact that both drivers have been consistently quick in all practice sessions. Today's result is such a nice reward for everybody in the team who has worked so hard to re-establish our competitiveness in the critical areas of chassis and engine. As you would expect we will now focus on the race tomorrow."

Norbert Haug: "A perfect outcome of today's qualifying with Kimi's pole position. He was really quick in the second and third sectors, which was where he secured his pole. We knew that we had worked in the right direction, but we couldn't expect to come out fastest today. I want to thank Kimi and the whole team for all their efforts to make our technical package much more competitive than it was a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately David didn't find the perfect setup, but to start from the third row is still a good basis for the race".

Pat Symonds, Executive Director of Engineering: "Undoubtedly, there will be much discussion about what happened in the first qualifying session, but it should come as a surprise to no-one. The rules have been like this for a long time, and the consequences were understood by the teams when they were first published. It only goes to reinforce our view that there is nothing wrong with single lap qualifying, but that the first session is unnecessary.

"Both drivers did excellent qualifying laps with no major problems. However, as is usual for Silverstone, the variable wind kept the drivers on their toes throughout. It is unfortunate Fernando must drop ten spots after his problem this morning, but we know he will race strongly from wherever he is on the grid."

Denis Chevrier, Engine Operations Manager: "In terms of pure performance, we are where we expected to be. But we are nonetheless disappointed to have suffered our first engine problem of the year, which will cost Fernando ten grid positions. Fortunately, our initial analysis suggests that the failure, which was located in the upper engine, was an isolated incident rather than a cause for general concern. However, Jarno's strong fifth position means we can realistically hope to finish on the podium tomorrow."

The entire team offers its deepest condolences to the family and friends of John Walton, and the entire Minardi team. John was a close friend of the team, having worked for both Toleman and Benetton in the 1980s and 1990. We share their loss of a respected and much-loved member of the F1 community.

David Richards, Team Principal: "The first session was rather confusing due to some unusual tactics created by the uncertainty around the weather conditions expected for the second session. However, we were confident with the information we received from our helicopter, which was flying upwind, allowing Jenson to run at full pace in the first session and ensuring an optimum strategy for the race. Both drivers are in a position to score good points tomorrow and with changeable weather forecast for the race, we must ensure we make the most of every opportunity."

Geoffrey Willis, Technical Director: "This was an unusual qualifying with many teams responding to the threat of rain during the second qualifying session by running deliberately slow laps in the first session. However as our information promised, the rain held off and Jenson was able to run last in second qualifying as planned. A small mistake in the complex lost Jenson a small amount of time but it was still good enough for third. With Takuma in eighth place we have both cars in good positions for tomorrow's race, for which there is a high chance of rain. In response to yesterday's difficulties, we made set-up and aerodynamic changes overnight, and despite deliberately limiting our running, found some good improvements. We now look forward to tomorrow's race."

Shuhei Nakamoto, Engineering Director, Honda Racing Development: "It was an interesting day, clearly all the teams had slightly different ideas about what was going to happen with the weather. I think we should go well tomorrow - we certainly want to put on a good show at one of our home GPs."

Peter Sauber (Team Principal): "There was no point in sending Giancarlo out this afternoon as he had been given a 10 grid-place penalty because of his engine change yesterday. It made more sense to preserve his tyres and start at the back. Felipe drove a great qualifying lap but unfortunately he lost his ninth place by Olivier Panis's incomprehensible behaviour. That handed the advantage to Mark Webber, who is in front of us.

"However, during the last two days we have confirmed that our new rear bodywork has made a considerable improvement to the performance of the C23."

Dr Mark Gillan Head of Vehicle Performance: The team has been working very well this weekend and we have been reliable on track. We focused on our set-up and balance in this morning's practice session and we were very much concentrating on both a good qualifying and a good race strategy, these need to work hand in hand in order to score points. The wind was picking up as we went into this afternoon's session and although this does have an effect on the balance of the car, the car remained balanced during long runs in the morning sessions. Mark drove an impressive clean lap this afternoon and I am pleased with his ninth grid place. Christian failed to optimise on his performance and his fourteenth place on the grid is not representative of his overall pace this weekend. It's our home race so we will be looking to give the crowds something to cheer about tomorrow.

Tsutomu Tomita - Team Principal: "On behalf of all the Panasonic Toyota Racing team, I would like to express our sorrow to learn of the recent and unexpected death of John Walton. We offer our condolences and sincere sympathy to the entire Minardi team and John's family at this traumatic time."

James Robinson: It was an exciting qualifying session with the threat of rain looming throughout. In the first session we chose to cover all options with our strategy - one car going at the beginning and one at the end to include the possibilities of rain showers arriving either early or late and maybe with the track drying out towards the end. Some rather ‘interesting' driving was demonstrated in the first session which I assume was part of other team's strategies. As it panned out, it stayed dry and we were 16th and 17th although with Alonso losing 10 places following his engine change, Giorgio moves up. We had no problems except the high cross winds in the session and it was just about watching the skies and seeing if and when the rain would come.

Paul Stoddart, Team Principal, Wilux Minardi Cosworth: Under very difficult circumstances, the Minardi team completed today's running and will line up P18 and P19 for tomorrow's British Grand Prix. I must confess that our thoughts are with John, and his family and friends, at this extremely sad time. Tomorrow, however, there will be a serious effort to get two Minardis to the chequered flag in memory of one of the greatest guys in this Paddock.

Hisao Suganuma, Technical Manager of Bridgestone Motorsport: Front row for Rubens is a very good achievement. He is a strong runner here and looks to be in with a fighting chance tomorrow. It is of course always a pity to miss out on pole but I am sure our teams will be able to put the race consistency of our tyres to good effect – just as they have done before. Temperatures are a little cooler than expected but this was not a worry today and whether or not we need dry or wet tyres tomorrow, the Bridgestone teams will be competitive.

Ross Brawn, Technical Director of Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro: We expected it to rain during qualifying but it held off. We didn't want to be the last ones out in second qualifying so first qualifying was really about trying to find the best strategic position to run in the one lap second qualifying. But the car was OK for second qualifying and we're reasonably happy and I think with the Bridgestone tyres we have, second and fourth places is fine. We have a very consistent tyre and if we can stay with the front pack tomorrow and I think we can do something in the race.

Hiroshi Yasukawa, Director of Bridgestone Motorsport: The Bridgestone Motorsport team is deeply saddened and shocked to hear of the death of John Walton, Sporting Director of the Minardi F1 Team. Bridgestone personnel had the great pleasure of working with John in many of his roles in motorsport over the years and he was considered a good friend. We would like to extend our heartfelt sympathies to his partner and family, to his team, and to his many friends who are now suffering a tremendous loss. John was a valued member of the Formula One community and will be sorely missed.

Alonso is not the only driver to have been handed a 10-place grid penalty in the wake of an engine change. Three of his rivals have been similarly afflicted this weekend: Giancarlo Fisichella (Sauber-Petronas) and Minardi team-mates Gianmaria Bruni and Zsolt Baumgartner.

A number of drivers deliberately backed off during pre-qualifying, in order to obtain an early starting slot in the decisive second session. They were reacting to local weather reports that forecasted the imminent possibility of rain, but despite threatening clouds the circuit remained dry until the end of the session.

Prior to qualifying fourth, world champion Michael Schumacher spun three times during the day. He went off at the Priory/Brooklands complex during both free practice sessions and again during pre-qualifying.

Pierre Dupasquier, Michelin motorsport director: "Our tyres have performed strongly throughout the weekend and I am delighted with today's result. There were one or two other Michelin drivers capable of taking pole, too, but circumstances were not quite in their favour. Overall I am very pleased to have such a strong Michelin presence at the front of the grid - but given the form of our six teams this weekend our position of strength is no surprise. Some partners have chosen our 'prime' tyre and others have plumped for the 'option' - both are delivering an excellent blend of speed and consistency.

"I would also like to compliment Kimi Räikkönen on giving McLaren its first pole position of the season. The team has done a fantastic job since introducing its updated car at Magny-Cours last weekend and its upturn in form has increased Michelin's strength in depth, which has delighted Edouard Michelin who has visited our partner teams this afternoon."