16/04/2011
NEWS STORY
Sebastian Vettel: We have done it again, but every single time is tough. I think today wasn't as straightforward as we planned - especially in Q2; I made a bit of a mistake in the run I did then. In Q3 I was confident that we were able to improve quite a lot. Obviously today we did a good job, but it's just eight metres on the track tomorrow. It will be a long race, but I think we can be happy with the car. We did some good long runs on Friday and so we have a reason to feel good, but it's also a threat to feel too good - so I pay attention that doesn't happen.
Mark Webber: It's a very frustrating day. We didn't have a smooth P3 or Q1 and we paid the ultimate price at end of the day. We thought we had enough to get through on the prime tyres - we have the pace, but I couldn't get the tyre working on my second run. We'll see what we can do tonight, but I can only go forwards. I can't remember the last time I was out in Q1; it was a long, long time ago, so it was a bad day for us.
Christian Horner: A third consecutive pole for Sebastian and, as he wasn't required to complete his second run in Q3, he was able to conserve his tyres for tomorrow. After a Herculean effort from all the team to get Mark's car repaired and out for Q1, it was disappointing for both Mark and the team that he missed the cut. We elected to run the hard tyre for his second run thinking it would be enough, but unfortunately they weren't up to the temperature to do it. Obviously with 20 / 20 hindsight, you would run the option tyre, but we felt it would be enough at that time. It's one of those things, and it's the first time we haven't had both cars in Q3 for over a year.
Cyril Dumont, Renault: There is one word to describe today - 'mixed'. An impressive display from Sebastian again - what pace, three races and three pole positions, so congratulations to him. Regarding Mark, we had a bit of a problem with KERS this morning and we weren't able to use it in qualifying. Unfortunately he went out in Q1, but I have no doubt that he will do a strong race tomorrow and be back where he's supposed to be.
To check out our Shanghai qualifying gallery, click here.