Vettel Pole in British Grand Prix

Saturday Qualifying, 20th of June 2009

It has not been a good start for Brawn GP so far.  Yes, I know Brawn has never looked too strong in practice, but when you look at quite how weak they have been so far, compared to Red Bull’s outrageous pace, the alarm bells must be ringing.

The BGP001s have been struggling with tyre temperatures.  Whilst the Red Bull is very hard on the tyres (thus warming them up faster), the Brawns are much lighter.  This has proved advantageous in previous Grand Prix. However, unfortunately for Jenson this weekend it has been a real problem. 

Qualifying One

The green light started the session and a few of the cars took to the track.  Fisichella was the first man to set a time (1:21:732) and after about five minutes Jenson was out and lapping reasonably well.

The Brit’s first time was 1:21:235, which was good enough for P5 out of 10.  He was however, going much better on his second lap and despite being slightly held up on the final corner, managed to get up to P2 (1:19:967).

Meanwhile, Rubens’s first attempt saw the Brazilian take P15 with a 1:22:078.  Fortunately, his second lap raised him up to P4.  At this stage Trulli was the man to beat, and Jens was only able to get from P9 to P8.

Then Webber came into play and began lapping very well.  The session turned into a Red Bull fight as Jenson only raised himself to P7 (1:19:544) and Rubens stayed in P6.

With five minutes left, Webber had the upper hand with a 1:18:674, Rubens was in P6 and Jens had fallen to P8.  Just three minutes later, Jenson was in the unfamiliar (for 2009 at least) P11.  Thankfully, the Championship leader pulled his finger out, but still, his best effort only got him P4 (1:18:957).

With 24 seconds left, Sutil had an accident and the session was red flagged, unfortunately ruining Hamilton’s last chance to break out of P1.  Right at the end Nakajima popped up in pole, whilst Jens finished P5 and Rubens, P11.

Q1
Jenson Button: P5:   1:18:957
Rubens Barrichello: P11: 1:19:325

Eliminated:
Fisichella, Bourdais, Sutil, Hamilton, Buemi


Qualifying Two

A little bit of light relief here as I’d like to pass on something we heard, that you might have missed for one reason or another.  After his off yesterday in Friday practice, Webber stayed behind to talk to the fans.  Both Alonso and Webber are more often than not very happy to stop and chat to the most important people in F1 and I just thought that was worth a little mention.  Good on you Mark, enforcing the fact that you are a top bloke!

Back to Q2 now, and Vettel led the pack out to set the first time.  The young German set the pace with a 1:24:033, but Webber was looking extremely fast!

Jenson’s first attempt gave him P8 (1:19:863), whilst Rubens got P5 (1:18:975).  Neither Brawn man went any faster on their second attempt.  However, both BGP001s had been on used softs, nevertheless…..Jenson was in P11 now and struggling!

The White chargers took back to the track with their new tyres, but I have to admit it was looking very close indeed!

Jens went faster, but was it enough? He only gained P7 (1:18:822).  Rubens was doing a much better job as he got up to P3 (1:18:335).  Jens then began to slip back down to P9!  His second run only promoted him one place! 

Whilst all this drama was going on at one end of the grid, Jenson and Brawn’s biggest rival, Vettel went top (1:18:119).  Jens eventually scraped through in P8, but his performance was far from convincing!   

Q2   
Rubens Barrichello: P4: 1:18:335
Jenson Button: P8: 1:18:663

Eliminated:
Massa, Kubica, Kovalainen, Piquet, Heidfeld

Qualifying Three

 The final session began as Rubens led the pack out.  The Brazilian set the first time of 1:21:417, but was quickly toppled by Vettel.

Jenson’s first time was 1:21:041, which put him second out of five.  Vettel, was fast, but so was Rubens who took Brawn’s first pole of the afternoon (1:20:536).

This pole was short lived though as Webber sped past and took back the deserved lead.  With five minutes left, Webber was king, Rubens P3 and Jens, P5.  All 10 cars left the pits for a final showdown.

Rubens took back his pole with a 1:19:856, but it wasn’t enough as Vettel crushed his time.  Jenson was out of the game and remained P5.  Webber was going very well but was held up by a Ferrari right at the end.  You could see his frustration as his huge arm was raised from the cockpit in disgust at the slow red charger.

Poor old Webber could only manage P3, which despite being good news for Brawn, was terrible for Webber who I felt really deserved the pole.  Rubens did a fantastic job to finish second, but Jens scored his worst 2009 qualifying in P6.

Q3
Rubens Barrichello: P2: 1:19:856
Jenson Button: P6: 1:20:289

Ok so that was far from a disaster, Brawn fans.  The Red Bulls were in charge from Friday morning and to have Rubens in second I think was fantastic.  Unfortunately, Jenson has struggled throughout and despite being more happy with his Saturday morning set up, the car seemed very different come qualifying.

Lets see the fuel loads, but I think Brawn’s best chances are with Rubens; car 22 is simply not what it was in Turkey.  Still maybe some of those complainers would be happier to see Jens win from P6!

Come on Brawn GP, lets give Silverstone a great show tommorow!!