Button Gives a Master Class on Spanish Saturday

Jenson has apparently been struggling so far with balance issues which he sorted out this morning.  However, it has been Rubens who was the man to beat in Brawn colours throughout the practice sessions.  In Spain the key is to be in front...could either of the Brawn lads do it under the watchful eye of the Terminator?

Saturday Qualifying, 9th May 2009 

Qualifying One

Sutil was the first man to set a time (1:23:718), but he was quickly toppled by faster competitors.  After about nine minutes, the Brawns were out and Jenson made it to p7 (1:22:997), Rubens P10 (1:23:547).  Jenson seems to have struggled with traffic throughout the practice sessions, and qualifying was no different.

Having put in personal best times in the first two sectors, he was held up and only managed to lift himself to P4 (1:21:350) on his second attempt.  Rubens’s second time was a slightly worrying 1:21:823 (P10).

Massa was the man to beat in Q1, but with four minutes left Rubens was in the drop zone! Thankfully Brawn didn’t make the same error as Ferrari did with Kimi and both drivers managed to get in laps that saved them the humiliation of leaving early!

Jenson finished a very respectable P2 (1:20:707) and Rubens a tense P5 (1:20:808).  

Q1

Jenson Button: P2: 1:20:707

Rubens Barrichello: P5 :1:20:808

Qualifying Two

This time Buemi’s Torro Rosso was the pace setter after a five minute wait.  However, before long Rosberg had topped the sheets.  Rubens’s first time saw him shoot up to a far more comfortable P2 and Jenson (who now seemed to be struggling a bit) was in P5.  

After a second run, Rubens put in the best time of the day (1:19:954) and finished the session first.  Jenson drove as well as he could, but could only put in a time good enough for fifth.  I must admit as a Button fan, I was a little concerned at this stage (still, great for Rubens). 

Q2    

Rubens Barrichello: P1: 1:19:954

Jenson Button: P5: 1:20:192 

Qualifying Three

A simply fantastic session; The Toyotas were initially strong, but Rubens was on fire!  The Brazilian’s first lap shot him straight up to first (1:21:442) and he looked to be the man to beat.  Jens too, was looking good.  His first time put him second (1:21:627).

However, after the excitement of the Brawn lockout, those pesky Red Bulls began to look rather quick! Sure enough, Vettel finished round one on top.  After everybody’s first run Rubens, was second, Jenson, third.

From here on, it was edge of the seat stuff.  Rubens choose not to go back to the pits and flew through sectors one and two, putting in fastest times.  He crossed the line first (1:20:762).  This time seemed unbeatable, but the young German, Vettel was keeping Rubens honest.

He matched, then beat Rubens’s times to put himself first overall.  Now it was down to Jens...the man who had been struggling throughout qualifying.  Could he do it? Was it possible? The commentators voices lifted with excitement, fastest sectors one and two...surely not.

Finally Jenson crossed the line with a time of 1:20:527.  Was it good enough? The answer…YES! A quality performance from Jenson Button proved his class (are you taking notes Flavio?) and now it is Brawn who have the upper hand tomorrow!  

Q3

Jenson Button P1: 1:20:527

Rubens Barrichello: P3: 1:20:762 

This was one of the best and most exciting qualifying sessions I have ever seen (and yes I know it’s probably only because the bloke I was backing finished on top!).  Even so it wasn’t easy for Brawn and Jenson only just made it past the line to put in his rocket lap!  

Red Bull have been dubbed Brawn's biggest challenge this weekend.  It is therefore reassuring that the Brawns qualified ultimately in a stronger position to their competitors. I simply can’t wait for that first corner! Granted it may well be the only action we see tomorrow, but it should be colossal!