Vettel praying for rain as he starts from the back of the grid
With their new STR3, none of the Scuderia Toro Rosso drivers were able to qualify for Q2. Sebastién Bourdais will start tomorrow's Monaco Grand Prix from 16th position while team mate Sebastian Vettel qualified 18th. Due to a five-place grid penalty however, the youngster will start from the back of the pack.
Sébastien Bourdais (STR3-01): "On my first lap I got caught up with Massa and my second was definitely going to be better, but that would not have changed anything. I am finding it very difficult to read what the car is doing, especially under braking when I am locking wheels a lot. In fact that was what caused the problem on my next run, because as I knew I had been locking the rear coming out of the tunnel, I moved the balance just one click to the front and sure enough, this time I lost the front. Also, as a general comment the car feels loose on the entry to most corners. Our situation was not helped by the fact we still lack experience with the new car and had nearly no dry running this morning. You have to pick up the pace by around a second and a half and when you've never done it in an F1 car in Monaco, it's a bit harder than anywhere else."
Third Practice Session: Best lap 1.18.367, pos. 11th, 16 laps
Qualifying Session: Best lap 1.16.806, pos. 16th
Sebastian Vettel (STR3-03): "My first lap time looked quite promising. After that, I feel we should have stuck with the prime tyre as the option was giving up during the first timed lap. I was unable to maintain a good level of grip over the whole track, so I was losing time, especially towards the end of the lap. It's a shame, because with my penalty I will be at the back of the grid. So I'm hoping for rain…..lots of rain!"
Third Practice Session: Best lap 1.18.651, pos. 15th, 29 laps
Qualifying Session: Best lap 1.16.955, pos. 18th
Giorgio Ascanelli: "I am pleased that we experienced no problems with either car and managed to shake down two new rear ends. The performance though is not quite there and it looks as though there are some difficulties in putting together the necessary lap time."
