27/10/2012
NEWS STORY
 |
Ahead of today's qualifying session the air temperature is 30 degrees C, while the track temperature is 38 degrees.
This morning, as was the case in both of yesterday's sessions, Sebastian Vettel set the pace. Surprisingly, the German didn't set the track alight once he switched to softs at the very end of the session but this is probably because he had all the data he needed rather than a chink on the armour.
While Jenson Button and Mark Webber both improved on the softer rubber, Lewis Hamilton appeared lacklustre, with the Ferraris also worryingly off the pace.
Biggest surprise this morning was that of Bruno Senna, who was up there on both compounds. Then again, the Brazilian is one of a number of drivers yet to secure a seat for next season, therefore there is some added motivation.
Mathematically a number of drivers can still win the title even though many of us see it as a straight fight between Vettel and Fernando Alonso. Should the Ferraris not have anything in reserve this bodes well for the championship as the German, who has won the last three races, could secure the title long before Brazil.
That said, one couldn't help but feel that that there was a little gamesmanship at work this morning. Indeed, there were times when it felt we were watching a game of Poker, some drivers appearing none too keen to show their hands. Or is that wishful thinking?
As ever, we expect the usual suspects - Caterham, Marussia and HRT - to fall at the first hurdle, but who will join them? Based on this morning's 'evidence' that could be Kobayashi or one of the Toro Rossos however, as we know from experience, the slightest slip, the merest strategic error, could see one of the big guns join them.
Tyre options are hard and soft with the gap said to be around 0.6 to 1s a lap. Tyre wear isn't a problem here therefore Pirelli is expecting some drivers to opt for just one stop tomorrow. The track is constantly evolving and consequently Pirelli says we can expect the times to get quicker as each phase reaches its conclusion.
Di Resta gets the session underway, the Scot admitting his disappointment not to have secured a "top drive" for next season, no doubt referring to the seats at McLaren and Mercedes.
He is joined by teammate Hulkenberg and a whole host of others including Schumacher, Rosberg and Raikkonen. Only the HRT duo are on the softer rubber.
Di Resta posts 28.786 while Hulkenberg crosses the line at 30.202. Raikkonen subsequently splits the pair with a 30.148.
As Perez posts 28.282, Rosberg is already complaining about understeer. The German also has a problem with his rear tyre temperatures.
Next time around Hulkenberg goes quickest (27.766), as all but the Red Bulls and McLarens are on track.
Massa goes quickest in S1 as Grosjean gets out of shape in T9. Massa maintains the pace in S2 crossing the line to go quickest (27.082) with the Finn slipping in a 27.237 to go second.
A 27.715 sees Maldonado go fourth as Alonso's attempt at a tow from his Ferrari teammate doesn't go quite according to plan. The Spaniard subsequently posts 27.308.
Having been quickest in the final two sectors, Senna goes quickest overall (26.980), as Hamilton and Button leave the pits. Elsewhere, Perez runs wide at T10.
Raikkonen complains of "locking at the rear", Hamilton slowing to a crawl as he seeks some clear track.
Maldonado goes quickest with a 26.904 as Massa improves with a 26.939 to take second.
As the Red Bulls head down the pitlane, Hamilton goes eighth (27.308), despite being quickest in S1. Perez switches to softs, as do di Resta and Kobayashi.
Drivers still struggling for grip, but not Vettel who shoots straight to the top of the timesheets with a 26.621, Seb Vettel. A big, big spin for Massa at T15, the Ferrari star wiping out another set of tyres but keeping it out of the barriers.
Hamilton, pushing it to the limit, goes quickest in S1, the Englishman really hanging out the rear end of the McLaren. His exuberance costs him however, as he fails to improve on ninth (27.308).
Having posted 31.968 first time around, Webber improves to third with a 26.771.
With 3:30 on the clock more drivers switch to the soft rubber, but not Vettel, Hamilton, Webber, Alonso or Massa.
All but Vettel, Alonso and Massa are on track, the Brazilian, currently seventh, not entirely safe.
Grosjean goes fifth (26.997), thereby pushing Massa down to eighth, while Webber goes quickest in S2. A weak final sector however, means the Australian fails to improve.
Currently the Toro Rossos are in trouble, particularly Vergne, while Raikkonen improves to third (26.740) only to be demoted when Rosberg goes second with a 26.458.
A late spin sees Kovalainen's work come to an early end, the Finn out-qualified by his teammate for the fifth time this season. Out come the yellow flags.
Quickest was Maldonado - courtesy of a very late charge - ahead of Vettel, Rosberg, Hamilton, Button, Raikkonen, Webber, Alonso, Senna and Grosjean.
We lose Vergne, Petrov, Kovalainen, Glock, de la Rosa, Karthikeyan and Pic.
The green light signals the start of Q2 but the section where Kovalainen spun earlier is still under yellows.
Despite the yellow flags a flurry of drivers take to the track indeed, within moments all but Button and Alonso are at work. All are on softs.
Di Resta gets things going with a 27.011 but this is soon beaten by Senna who crosses the line at 26.826.
A 26.721 sees Hulkenberg go quickest, however, Vettel is on a super-fast lap, the German going quickest in the first two sectors. Hamilton goes quickest (26.039) but this is instantly beaten by Vettel's 25.435. To rub salt in the wounds Webber goes second with a 25.749 and Rosberg third (25.976).
Schumacher goes seventh (26.730) as all but Button have posted times. Alonso and Massa currently fifteenth and sixteenth.
Alonso improves to fourth with a 25.982 as Webber goes second in S2. The Australian subsequently breaks the timing beams at 25.610 but remains second.
Hamilton goes quickest in S1 but, like before, a mistake in the second sector (T7) means he has to back off. Button's first flying lap sees the Briton go sixth with a 26.430.
Currently, with 4:00 on the clock, Ricciardo, di Resta, Kobayashi, Perez, Maldonado, Grosjean and Massa comprise the drop zone.
Di Resta improves his time but remains twelfth, time appearing to run out for the Scot. Teammate Hulkenberg is currently eighth.
Schumacher improves to ninth but within moments is back in tenth when Grosjean goes seventh.
All eyes on Raikkonen who has slipped down to thirteenth. Perez improves, thereby dropping Schumacher into the danger zone.
Raikkonen goes eighth (26.264) but is it enough? Hulkenberg and Ricciardo are on hot laps as di Resta fails to improve.
Maldonado goes seventh and Hulkenberg ninth as Massa seeks to improve on thirteenth.
The Brazilian goes tenth sand Perez eighth thereby consigning Grosjean and Hulkenberg to the recycle bin.
Quickest was Vettel, ahead of Button, Webber, Hamilton, Alonso, Rosberg, Maldonado, Perez, Raikkonen and Massa.
We lose Grosjean, Hulkenberg, Senna, Schumacher, Ricciardo, di Resta and Kobayashi.
Ahead of Q3, all the smart money has to be on Vettel who really appears to be at one with his car here. Then again, let's not forget Mark Webber's performance in Korea two weeks ago. The Australian, at the wheel of the second RBR8, is probably the only man who could upset things.
Hamilton is first out for Q3 a sign of his determination to try and turn the form book on its head. Moments later he is joined by Alonso, Rosberg and Maldonado. All but the German on softs.
Hamilton backs off on his lap after locking-up in T3, while Alonso posts a 25.773. Elsewhere, a big moment for Vettel in T7, the German completely missing the apex.
No such problems for Webber who crosses the line at 25.327 as his teammate heads back to the pits for a fresh set of tyres.
With 3:50 on the clock there are just three names on the sheets, Webber, Alonso and Hamilton. However, one by one the drivers take to the track for the final assault.
As Perez posts 26.360 to go (a disappointing) fourth, Webber calls for more front wing.
Raikkonen goes fourth but is demoted when Button goes second with a 25.763.
Vettel posts a PB in S1 and again in S2, but he needs more. He crosses the line at 25.283, having gone quickest in S3, to take provisional pole.
Rosberg is out of his car, the German content to start from tenth. All other nine drivers are on track.
Massa goes quickest in S1, as Hamilton and Raikkonen post PBs. While Alonso loses ground, his teammate maintains the pace crossing the line at 25.857 to go sixth just behind his teammate.
Button momentarily takes third only to be demoted by his McLaren teammate, Hamilton banging in a 25.544. Webber's last lap is wrecked by a mistake in T3 which cost him any chance of improving.
Consequently, Vettel will start from pole as Red Bull takes its third successive front-row lock out. Webber will start from second, ahead of Hamilton, Button, Alonso, Massa, Raikkonen, Perez, Maldonado and Rosberg.
Grosjean starts from eleventh, ahead of Hulkenberg, Senna, Schumacher, Ricciardo, di Resta, Kobayashi, Vergne, Petrov, Kovalainen, Glock, de la Rosa, Karthikeyan and Pic.
So, pretty much as expected, Vettel starts from pole and seemingly heads towards his fourth successive win and thereby his third successive title. However, while Mark Webber has already said that he has no intention of playing second fiddle to his teammate, McLaren and Ferrari don't appear to have given up the fight.
Check out our qualifying gallery, here.