F1: Mark Webber Does It for Red Bull! Brawn GP Strong Behind!

After a shaky practice session could Brawn pull another great qualifying performance out of the bag?

Qualifying One

Vettel leads the way as the light goes green. Thankfully after all the dramas this morning and yesterday, both Brawns came out nice and early.

Vettel set the first time of 1:33:413, just four minutes in. However, Jens on the super softs, shot straight up to P1 with a 1:323:649. Rubens, also on softs, shot up to P3 on his first attempt (1:33:345).

Alonso knocked Jenson off the top spot rather quickly, but Hamilton was on a major charge too. Sure enough the current World Champion became the fourth man on pole as all of the cars took to the track, fearing rain.

Rubens meanwhile pulled his way back up to P3 having fallen significantly down the rankings. Hamilton was absolutely on fire and it didn’t look as though he would be beaten in Q1.

Jens had fallen a long way back, but with a 1:31:764 got himself back to P2. Vettel then set off on a fast lap and despite losing time in sector three, re-took his home GP pole with a 1:31:430.

Both Red Bull drivers had started the session on the hard tyres, but as the track developed, they came to realise that the softs were the optimum choice.

With just 9 minutes to go, Jens was now P4 and Rubens was P10. Webber was driving like a man possessed and on the super softies earned pole to make it a Red Bull top two.

However, the skill of Alonso was very much on show as the Spaniard spoilt Red Bulls party by claiming second, despite being held up by Glock.

Rubens’s last time was a 1:31:350 which helped him to P5. Whilst Jenson put in a relatively disappointing 1:31:568 which only put him in P6.

As spots of rain began to fall, with two minutes left, the session was effectively over. Despite all of the issues over practice, both Brawns made it comfortably through to Q2.

RB: P5: 1:31:568

JB: P6: 1:31:568

Eliminated:

Kubica, Buemi, Fisichella, Glock, Bourdais

Qualifying Two

Uncertain conditions for Q2 meant that there was a mad dash to get out and put a time in. All of the grid left the pits on slick tyres, led by Nakajima. Before long though, they all began to realise that they had made a big mistake as cars began to slide off all over the place!

After a strange first attempt, all of the drivers bar Webber darted back into the pits for the intermediate tyres.

Alonso was first in for inters, and so was first out, and first to set a time (1:43:931). This first time was set with just 8 minutes left! Jenson’s first time was a 1:44:795 (P6). Hamilton, who has been great all weekend, quickly took back P1, but worryingly for us Brawn maniacs, with only 7 minutes left, Rubens had still not set a time.

We learnt that Rubens had chosen to fit the dry tyres and at the time thought that he was slightly insane! However, the genius that is Rubens, showed us all why he still races in F1 by lapping faster than anyone else.

The wise old geezer sped around the track for a very well deserved P1 (1:34:469). Absolutely fantastic stuff from the Brazilian. Conversely, Jenson was really struggling down in P14 and it was looking as if for the first time this season, he would fail to make the final 10!

The track started to get moist again and even one of the best drivers in the world (Alonso) failed to keep his car on the black stuff.

Jenson was pushing hard, and of course Jonathon Ledgeard was badgering on making the situation even more tense!

My fears were dismissed though when both Jenson and Hamilton put in laps of the season to pull themselves into Q3! Phew! Though I was extremely sad to see poor old Fernando miss out.

RB: P1: 1:34:455

JB: P5: 1:39:032

Eliminated:

Heidfeld, Alonso, Nakajima, Trulli, Rosberg

Qualifying Three

After a near heart attack in Q2, the third session was much easier to cope with. The green light opened the session to an empty pit lane as non of the drivers rushed to get out this time.

Jenson was eventually the first man to surface, but he quickly darted back into the pits.

The first time was set by Rubens, who put in a 1:32:797. Rubens was unstoppable for most of the session really, which was a huge relief after the woes of practice.

With just three minutes left Jens was out and desperately trying to get some heat through his tyres. He lost time in the middle sector and only clocked in a time fit for P9.

However, Jens picked up the pace and entered a mini race with fellow Brit, Hamilton. Hamilton went first as Jenson crossed the line for P2 (1:32:745). Meanwhile Rubens smashed into second with another great lap.

Webber was on a mission though and proving that Red Bull gives you wings! The Australian sped into P1 with a great 1:32:230. Vettel wasn’t fast enough to beat him, but could either of the Brawns?

Jens was first to try, and although he didn’t get P1, P2 was a great result. Rubens looked as though he might do it, but eventually only managed to pip his team mate and take second.

So Webber finally got a P1, followed by an on-form Rubens and then a promising Jens.

RB: P2: 1:32: 357

JB: P3: 1:32:473

That was a great qualifying session today. I can’t think of a more popular bloke to be on pole and it was lovely to see both Jens and Rubens rush to congratulate Mark as young Vettel, (who I am quickly beginning to dislike), sulked off without so much as a "congratulations".

Of course I’m going to favour a Brawn victory….but if I’m honest with you…..I would probably have a huge smile on my face if the race finished the same way as qualifying.

It should be a good one tomorrow!