25/10/2015
NEWS STORY
Lotus F1 Team has qualified thirteenth and fifteen for today's United States Grand Prix. In extremely wet and slippery conditions, both drivers proceeded to the second qualifying session but were unable to break into the top ten for this afternoon's race. Both drivers gain two positions on the grid as a result of penalties for other competitors, meaning Romain starts in P11, Pastor starts in P13.
Romain Grosjean: "Conditions were certainly very hard for everyone out there. We knew our relative performance on the wet tyres wouldn't be as good as it is in the dry. We pushed as hard as we could to get into the top ten but we just couldn't make it. The rain fell harder in Q2 and it became too wet to run any further laps."
Pastor Maldonado: "At the end of Q2 it was raining too much which made it very tricky. I found it very difficult with our car as even staying on a line was tough. The rear was very unstable and we had a lot of oversteer. The track itself was too wet for the last few laps so I can understand why Q3 didn't take place."
How was qualifying?
Alan Permane, Trackside Operations Director: For the drivers it was a game of finding some clear track away from the spray and maximising the opportunities when the track was at its driest. It rained all through the session so it was difficult for everyone out there. The conditions were very poor at the end of Q2 which was highlighted by Q3 being aborted.
What are the considerations for the race?
AP: The weather is obviously the primary consideration. It's raining right now and we're watching the skies and the satellite maps very closely.
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