11/07/2009
NEWS STORY
Brawn GP's Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button fought their way through a thrilling and chaotic qualifying hour at the Nürburgring today to secure second and third positions on the grid for Sunday's 60-lap German Grand Prix.
With rain threatening, all the cars were quickly out on track at the start of Q1 with Rubens and Jenson running on the softer option tyre and completing two runs to safely progress into the second session.
Light rain at the start of Q2 rapidly became heavier with both drivers coming into the pits after just a couple of laps to replace their slick tyres for intermediates. As the rain seemed to ease, Rubens dived back in and switched to slicks and immediately was the quickest car on track with a lap which topped the timesheets for the remainder of the session. Jenson changed to slicks with just enough time for one timed lap which he made count as the rain started to fall again.
After the drama of Q2, the conditions stayed dry for Q3 with Rubens and Jenson posting their quick laps in the final seconds of the session, achieving second and third positions respectively.
Rubens Barrichello: "I really enjoyed the excitement of qualifying today and am very happy to have come away with second and be starting from the front row tomorrow. I felt the track was just about good enough for slicks in Q2 so I radioed the team that I was coming in but didn't hear their response so thankfully the tyres were waiting for me when I arrived in the pits! It was a great decision and gave me a much more relaxed end to Q2 than some of the others. It's going to be a tricky race tomorrow so we'll have to be on our toes and take advantage of whatever the weather throws at us. I'm looking forward to it."
Jenson Button: "Just getting into the final qualifying session was an achievement today so I'm really pleased to have qualified in third. It was a pretty eventful hour and Q2 in particular was madness but it was good fun. I thought it was too wet for slicks but Rubens made it work and we were able to switch tyres with just enough time to make my timed lap count. The race is going to be interesting as the forecast looks like it's going to be a mix of wet and dry conditions. We've improved the car since practice yesterday but it's still going to be tough to keep the tyres warm and you'll need a bit of luck with the weather. Congratulations to Mark on his first pole position today. We'll be doing everything possible to ensure that it doesn't become his first win tomorrow!"
Ross Brawn: "The weather ensured an intense qualifying session for everyone today and we are extremely pleased to have come out of this afternoon with Rubens and Jenson in second and third positions. Both drivers were superb today. Rubens made an inspired call in Q2 to come in early for dry tyres and his direction was crucial in getting Jenson in and back onto slicks with enough time to complete his timed lap, which he did under great pressure as the rain fell again. Q3 was quite calm in comparison and both drivers were able to take full advantage of their well-balanced cars to get us into the top three. The teamwork in the garage was fantastic and we are all delighted and a little relieved to be starting from second and third positions tomorrow. Congratulations to Mark for his maiden pole position and congratulations to Mercedes-Benz with five cars in the top seven!"