Solid result for Red Bull in difficult conditions
Sebastian Vettel will be able to start the German GP from second place on the grid after a solid qualifying session for the double world champion. Mark Webber qualified 3rd but will have to start from 8th after incurring a 5-place penalty for a gearbox change.
Sebastian Vettel, Position: 2nd, (3rd Practice – P6, 1:16.475):
“The track was best at the end of the session, which is when we got our best times. In these conditions it’s extremely difficult, as you can lose the car through the rivers on the track. I lost some time running into Mark at the end of one lap, but it’s very difficult in these conditions and you can’t see anything in the mirrors. I think we had the pace today to put the car on pole – so we need to look at what Fernando did with his strategy. But it can be a lottery when the weather’s like that and fortunately we didn’t lose the car, which is good and I’m starting on the front line tomorrow. We are being consistent at the moment, which is the key.”
Mark Webber, Position: 3rd (to start from 8th after gearbox penalty), (3rd Practice – P5, 1:16.447):
“It was tricky for us and we had dodgy conditions on track. When you know you’re getting a five place penalty, it’s easy not to get it right but I’m very happy to finish today quite far way up. We did some good laps and got a good result. Fernando stopped for fresh tyres, which maybe we could have done, but should-have, could-have would-have, we got third and that’s good – even with the penalty. I’m looking forward to the race and to moving up the grid. We can do a lot from eighth. We’ve shown the car is strong in all conditions and we will be looking to come through the field.”
Christian Horner, Team principal:
“It was very tricky conditions today and second and third is a very positive result, despite the fact that Mark unfortunately has to take a five-place penalty, which will put him eighth on the grid. Nonetheless, for Sebastian to be starting on the front row at his home race and Mark to be eighth on a track where overtaking is possible, will make for a really exciting race.”
Cyril Dumont, Renault engines support:
“Today was a bit like Silverstone – you could lose a lot, so to finish second and third is a good result. Under these conditions, the later you went out on track, the faster the time, so it’s never easy. In terms of the engine, the drivability is quite important in the wet, so we have been working that this weekend and it seems to be a bit better. We will see tomorrow.”
