Alonso on Top As Brawn Suffer Their Worst Ever Qualifying

I really don’t know what to say about that qualifying session. Of course, we should all be thinking about Massa and as I write this, I understand he is OK. Unfortunately it looks as if a rear bar from Rubens’s car hit the Ferrari driver in the head, causing Massa to be concussed.

I understand he was talking and moving when he was placed in the medical helicopter and I hope that he feels better soon.

As for qualifying, well, as an Alonso fan great! As a Brawn fan...terrible.

Qualifying One

As the light went green, Fisichella led the cars out on track. However, the first time was set by new boy Alguersuari (1:23:951).

Five minutes in and there were only three times on the board with Buemi first. Jenson’s first time placed him P5 (1:23:027), whilst Rubens could only manage P12 (1:24:225).

On his next attempt, Rubens got up to P5, but first blood in the championship battle went to Red Bull with Vettel claiming P1, and Webber in second.

Jenson got himself back up to P7 with a 1:22:055, but he wasn’t setting the world on fire. Soon after, Rubens took P7 with a 1:21:982.

With just five minutes remaining, Rubens had fallen to P10 and Jenson P11. As the battle for pole heated up between Vettel and Rosberg, the Brawns slid down the pack. Jens popped up into P2 with a 1:21:471, but as the teams desperately raced to stay in qualifying, Jenson quickly fell back down again.

Rubens finished up in P12, Jenson P10!

Q1 results

JB: P10

RB: P12

Eliminated Drivers

Heidfeld, Fisichella, Sutil, Kubica, Alguerauari

Qualifying Two

This time Trulli led the pack out, but it was Raikkonen who set the first time of 1:24:552. Five minutes in and the Red bulls again were the stronger of the top two teams as Webber took pole.

Jenson could only claim P5 (1:22:318) as Vettel sped across into P1. Rubens climbed as high as P3 (1:21:708), but quickly fell away.

Neither Brawn driver seemed capable of getting any higher than P5 as the session quickly passed. With six minutes to go, Alonso was on top, with Rubens in P7, Jens, P6.

The Brawns then began to really fall, so far that with just two minutes to go, Jens was P8, Rubens P9! There was absolute pandemonium as all of the drivers pushed to the max for their survival.

Jenson got himself up to P6 with a 1:20:881, but there was nothing from Rubens...where was he?

The Brazilian shot down the list as pictures of Massa’s Ferrari began to hit the screens. Nobody knew quite how serious Massa’s accident had been and so the excitement continued.

Jens was saved, just! But Rubens failed to break into Q1 for the first time this season. Though I was sad for Rubens, I became increasingly concerned about Massa as reports began to come in that the young Brazilian had taken a knock to the head.

It later became clear that a bar in the rear of Rubens’s BGP001 had come loose and may have hit his fellow countryman. The loose piece also explained Rubens’s poor form.

Q2 results

JB: P6

RB: P13

Eliminated Drivers

Buemi, Truli, Rubens!!!, Glock, Piquet

Qualifying Three

I have to admit, I didn’t write too much down for this part of qualifying as Jens didn’t really take part. The team rightfully took their time to check that car 22 was 100 percent safe, which meant that Jenson could only have one run.

On top of that the lap timing system totally crashed making it impossible to tell what was going on.

Alonso did brilliantly to qualify first and I truly hope he wins tomorrow. Jenson finished up in P8 which was disastrous. The only consolation for Jens is that he is in the points and behind the KERS threat.

The Red Bulls may be P2 and P3, but they have KERS cars behind them so who knows what the positions will be after turn one.

I’m sorry if this article reads a little strangely. As I say, I understand that Massa is OK and I am very pleased to see Nando in P1.

However, today was certainly Brawn GP’s worst ever qualifying. The good news? It was a case of a mechanical failure and not raw speed that caused their low positions. Rubens’s race was ruined by the actual loose piece and Jenson had to wait for his car to be checked over thus ruining Q3.

Tomorrow, I hope Jens can pull something special out of the bag. If not...COME ON ALONSO!

And finally, get well soon, Felipe!