Hamilton Best, But Brawn in Strong Positions for the 2009 Finale

I wasn’t exactly surprised to see Hamilton finish the 2009 qualifying season on top. McLaren has looked strong all weekend so far, so the race for positions two downwards was what I was concentrating on. Could Brawn finish on a high with front row results, or was it going to be another case of missed chances in qualifying?

Qualifying One

Alguersuari was out first, followed a couple of minutes later by Jenson and Rubens.

The young Spaniard set the first time of 1:46:161, whilst Jenson’s 1:45:666 put him P3, and Rubens’s 1:47:570 put him in P12.

Both Brawns significantly improved on their second runs. Jenson took his championship car to P1 with a 1:41:916, whilst Rubens got himself up to P3 with a 1:42:128.

However, as time progressed Hamilton took his place as top driver, and Jens and Rubes slipped down to P7 (Jenson) and P10 (Rubens).

With five minutes left, Jenson had fallen to P8 and Rubens was now looking a little shirty in P12. It was all OK in the end though, as Rubens put in a P6 time, and Jenson wet the appetites of the British press by finishing second to Hamilton.

Q1 Results

JB: P2: 1:40:378

RB: P6: 1:40:574

Out: Alonso!! (unfortunately, just wasn’t fast enough, simple as that), Liuzi, Sutil, Grosjean, and Fisichella

Qualifying 2

This time it was Kovalainen who led the pack out and set a first time of 1:40:983, four minutes in.

Rubens’s first time of 1:43:547 struck him in P6, and Jenson’s 1:45:875 put him P10.

Just as they had done in the previous session, both Brawns rose thanks to second runs; Jenson was now P4, and Rubens P5.

As the session developed it became a fight between Red Bull and McLaren. Jenson did get himself up to P1 with a 1:40:201, but his time on top was short lived. Vettel pipped him at the end, but with no drama both Brawns comfortably progressed into Q3.

Q2 Results

JB: P3: 1:40:148

RB: P6: 1:40:421

Out: Raikkonen (another shocker!), Kobayashi, Kovalainen (gear troubles), Nakajima, and Alguersuari

Qualifying 3

On his 21st birthday, Buemi led the pack out and opened proceedings with a 1:46:967. Jenson had reportedly had tire warmth issues in Q2, and despite being strong most of the weekend, seemed to drop back a bit in Q3.

Rubens’s first time was a 1:47:273 which kicked him off in P4. Meanwhile Jenson’s 1:48:167 saw the Brit take P6.

Both Brawns put in strong performances, Rubens got up to P2 with a 1:42:442, and both had short stints occupying the top spot. However, the day was always going to belong to one man.

Despite strong charges from the Red Bulls and Rubens, Hamilton effortlessly claimed top spot and put himself in a prime position for the final race of the year. Rubens finished his qualifying season in P4, and Jenson will start one place back in P5.

Q3 Results

RB: P4: 1:41:786

JB: P5: 1:41:892

I don’t really know what to say about this qualifying session. Of course, I’m pleased to see both Brawns perform well, but I can’t help but tell you that I felt incredibly bored throughout qualifying today. I really can’t put my finger on why, and would be interested to know what other people think…

Regardless of my feelings, Jenson and Rubens have put themselves in encouraging positions for tomorrow’s race. I just hope all this ludicrous amount of money spent will give us more than just a night time scalextric race!