Red Bull confident with tyre strategy
For the first time this year, some of the top ten cars in qualifying were not on the same tyre compound as the others. Red Bull chose the harder prime compound as they are hopeful it will be the better tyre to start the race with.
Chosing that tyre did involve some extra work in qualifying though, as the drivers need several laps to get these tyres up to temperature. Contrary to the super softs which can be in the ideal temperature range after just one single out-lap.
The harder tyre however poses some advantages as the cars will be able to run longer first stints in what is expected to be a double stop strategy, also the first time this year. McLaren, on the softer tyre, are meanwhile hoping for an early safety car to get rid of the options and take on the rest of the race with the primes.
Mark Webber, Car 6, Position: 2nd
“We thought we could do a good job in qualifying on the hard tyre and it turned out to be the case. We knew we would still try and have a crack at the front row, but we also knew the McLarens were very strong on the option tyre, which they elected to take. It’s a long race tomorrow, we’re planning to do the best we can and we’re hoping the tyres will be beneficial to us. We’re also mindful that there might be the odd safety car here and there – there are many different ways tomorrow’s race may unfold. But, we’ve stuck to our guns, done a great job and Seb and I are in the top three again.”
Sebastian Vettel, Car 5, Position: 3rd:
“It was a pretty entertaining session, especially Q3. We went out on the hard tyres, which take a while to come in. We knew that and to be honest I didn’t get a good lap in until the very last lap, so it wasn’t perfect timing, but it worked. My final lap wasn’t that clean, so I’m happy I made it to third today; it’s good. Looking to tomorrow, I think I should have a good start as I’m on the inside. I’m happy that both Mark and I made it to these positions with what is, from my point of view, the right tyre. Yesterday’s practice showed that the soft tyre is quite difficult to last for more than a couple of laps.”
Christian Horner, Team Principal: “A really interesting qualifying session. We opted for a strategically different route to the other cars around us, by opting to run on the hard tyre. Both drivers felt it was the better tyre to start the race on tomorrow. I’m very happy with both Mark and Sebastian’s performance at this track that, coming here, we knew shouldn’t be one of our strongest. So to achieve second and third is a really strong team result.”
Fabrice Lom, Renault: “It’s a bit of a sad day, as it’s the first time we didn’t get pole position this year. But, it’s still a good result – second and third is very respectable, especially on this track. It’s difficult for engines due to the long straights, but we think we have the tool to do well during tomorrow’s race.”
