08/11/2014
NEWS STORY
Nico Rosberg's domination in Brazil continues as he edges out Lewis Hamilton and thereby secures 2014 'pole trophy'
Whilst Lewis Hamilton dominated all three practice sessions in Austin last week, only to lose out on pole to teammate Nico Rosberg, thus far the German has dominated every practice session. Then again, let's not forget it was the Briton who won the race.
Fact is however, that whilst we were guaranteed sunshine in Texas, here at Interlagos we are constantly in doubt when it comes to the weather. We know rain is coming, but we don't know when, and it is this uncertainty, combined with a new track surface which is not working with the tyre choices is all adding to the problem.
Other than the track resurfacing, which includes the pitlane, the pitlane exit has been realigned further to the left to provide a run-off area around the outside of T2, while the pitlane entrance has been realigned to the left in order to allow the pit wall start to be moved further away from the track.
There are two DRS zones. The first has a detection point at the apex of T2, with activation 20m after T3, while the second has its activation point 30m after T13, with an activation point 60m after T15.
Other than the Mercedes duo, which continues to dominate despite both drivers suffering brake issues at some point or another, Williams appears to be best of the rest, while Kimi Raikkonen is looking very good in the F14T thus far.
A late charge saw Jenson Button go sixth this morning while, not for the first time this year, Ricciardo is the dominant Red Bull driver.
The big shock was to see the Force Indias rooted at the bottom of the timesheets whilst both Lotus drivers look to be continuing the form witnessed in Austin. Perez' problems all the worse as he has a 7-place grid penalty following his clash with Adrian Sutil last week. Daniil Kvyat also carries over a grid penalty following his engine change in Austin.
As we await the start of the session the sun is shining, but rain is still predicted (40% possibility) and in terms of tomorrow's race it's almost a certainty.
Air temperature is 25 degrees C, while the track temperature is 37 degrees.
As in Austin, due to the absence of Caterham and Marussia, four drivers are eliminated at the end of both Q1 and Q2.
The lights go green and Sutil gets things underway. Shortly after he is followed by teammate Gutierrez.
The German posts a 1:13.401 to get proceedings underway. Moments later his teammate posts 13.166.
Ricciardo, the first of the big guns to venture out, posts 12.825, as Rosberg and Hamilton both head out, already on the option rubber. The Williams duo sticks with primes, as does Button.
Hulkenberg goes quickest, but is instantly demoted when Bottas posts 11.384.
Hamilton goes quickest (11.223) with Rosberg posting 10.693 moments later, over half-a-second quicker.
"Ay, ay, ay, ay, ay," shouts Alonso, "Why do I have to start a lap in traffic and with no power?" The Spaniard is unhappy and, uncharacteristically, making it public. He was passed by Maldonado on the pit straight only for the Lotus driver to totally overcook it in T1.
Hamilton retakes the top spot with a 10.457 only to lose out to his teammate again as the German bangs in a 10.347.
Whilst both McLaren drivers switch to the soft rubber, the Williams duo stick with primes.
Rosberg, Hamilton, Alonso, Massa, Bottas, Raikkonen, Hulkenberg, Magnussen, Gutierrez and Kvyat.
Maldonado, Grosjean, Vergne and Vettel comprise the drop zone.
Now on options, Button improves to third with an 11.097.
Ricciardo warns that the track is dirty in places with lots of marbles.
Told that his 11.134 is safe, Magnussen is told to box. The Dane is currently fourth.
Kvyat and Gutierrez improve to fifth and sixth and as times continue to tumble the Williams duo - eighth (Masa) and tenth (Bottas) come out again, this time on options.
Vettel improves to thirteenth (11.880), as Massa goes quickest in S1.
As Bottas goes third (10.832), Perez fails to improve on 17th and teammate Hulkenberg slips down the standings.
Massa goes third (1.602) whilst Maldonado fails to improve on last position.
Rosberg is quickest, ahead of Hamilton, Massa, Bottas, Button, Magnussen, Raikkonen, Kvyat, Gutierrez and Alonso.
We lose Grosjean, Vergne, Perez and Maldonado.
"Sorry," apologises Vergne.
Hulkenberg is first out for Q2, followed by Gutierrez and Sutil. Probably with an eye on the dark clouds in the distance the Mercedes duo are among the first out.
Hulkenberg posts 12.306 as Sutil goes for a long, long run across the grass after a mistake at T12.
As Hamilton makes a mistake and aborts his lap, Hamilton posts 10.712 to go quickest. Moments later however, teammate Rosberg slips in a 10.303.
Raikkonen goes third with an 11.526, just ahead of his Ferrari teammate who posts 11.736.
Massa's first flying lap sees the Brazilian go third (10.859), as Rosberg complains of overheating on his rears.
Another strong lap from Button sees the Briton go fifth with an 11.127. moments later his teammate posts 11.211 to go sixth.
With 6:00 remaining Gutierrez, Sutil, Kvyat and Ricciardo comprise the drop zone.
Button is told that he should be safe. "We'll turn the car round so we can run if we need to," says his engineer, "but we don't think we'll need to."
As the clock counts down, Hulkenberg has the track to himself. However, as he begins his flying lap he makes a mistake at T1. He crosses the line at 11.976, thereby remaining tenth.
All on track bar the Mercedes duo. Such confidence.
Raikkonen improves to sixth, whilst Alonso goes eighth.
Ricciardo improves to seventh dropping Alonso to tenth.
Bottas splits the Mercedes with a 10.421, only for teammate Massa to post a 10.343 moments later, just 0.040s off Rosberg's pace, much to the delight of the crowd.
Rosberg is quickest, ahead of Massa, Bottas, Hamilton, Button, Vettel, Raikkonen, Ricciardo, Magnussen and Alonso.
We lose Gutierrez, Hulkenberg, Sutil and Kvyat.
Mercedes reports that it is being told that there is little chance of rain before the end of the session. "Famous last words," adds the German team.
With the Mercedes and Williams covered by just 0.409s - 0.118s if you discount Hamilton's lap - Q3 looks likely to be a real humdinger.
Hamilton is first out, unusual to see the Briton that eager. That said, he is followed by his teammate.
As Hamilton begins his flying lap, he and Rosberg have the track entirely to themselves. However, as the Mercedes duo complete the first sector they are joined by all but the Ferraris.
Hamilton posts 10.195 to take provisional pole, but moments later Rosberg goes quicker by 0.029s.
A scrappy lap for Bottas who locks up twice, nonetheless he posts 10.305. Moments later Button goes fourth with a 10.930.
The crowd cheers as Massa goes third with a 10.247, just 0.081s down on Rosberg.
Magnussen goes sixth, ahead of Vettel and Ricciardo. The Ferrari duo is clearly relying on a single run.
With 4:10 remaining Raikkonen leaves the Ferrari garage. As he begins his flying lap, Vettel and Ricciardo head down the pitlane. They are followed by Bottas and Hamilton.
Raikkonen crosses the line at 11.099 to go seventh.
"My right rear brake is zero," complains Hamilton, however, his team tell him there is no issue.
Ricciardo posts 11.075 to go seventh but is demoted when teammate Vettel goes sixth with a 10.938.
Hamilton goes quickest with a 10.056, despite a mistake at T10, but seconds later Rosberg snatches back the top spot with a 10.023.
Both Williams drivers makes mistakes and consequently are unable to improve.
Rosberg takes pole, ahead of Hamilton, Massa, Bottas, Button, Vettel, Magnussen, Alonso, Ricciardo and Raikkonen.
Gutierrez is eleventh, ahead of Hulkenberg, Sutil, Kvyat, Grosjean, Vergne, Perez and Maldonado.
While Hamilton made a mistake, Rosberg will have been fully aware, and let's not forget he's been quickest in every single session.
Other than the weather, of course, the big question now is can Nico make it a clean sweep on Sunday.
Whilst some are already talking about Abu Dhabi and double points coming into play, Rosberg clearly hasn't given up, which is great for him and great for us.
Check out our Saturday gallery, here.