Saturday: Hamilton and Button delight McLaren
Highly anticipated today, the McLarens did not disappoint as they claimed the front row, three-tenths ahead of Grosjean and his Lotus, and seven-tenths ahead of the Red Bulls. Lewis Hamilton secured the pole position on his first attempt in Q3, with Button missing by just a few thousandths.
Lewis Hamilton – 1st and 1st
« I am extremely proud of my team. We worked incredibly hard over the winter: we never gave up, and everyone just pushed and pushed again. We’ve had tough seasons, but everyone in the team wants to succeed and be the best. I’m proud to have done the job for them today. My first run in Q3 was very special: in the end, I would have been surprised if anyone could have done better. I still tried to push harder in my last run, but I braked too late at the first corner and compromised my lap. After that, I just hoped no one would go faster. I love qualifying, especially when you do the perfect lap: when everything goes well, the tires work, and you do everything right. It’s paradise. Today, we showed that we not only have one of the most beautiful Formula 1 cars but also the fastest. Obviously, there’s always a long way to go tomorrow – tire degradation will be key – but we are in the best position to have a great race. »
Jenson Button – 4th and 2nd
« Lewis did a great lap in Q3, but I think the whole team is really happy to have two cars at the front – it took a while to get there. You always want to be first, but I couldn’t do it today. Despite that, I think we both want to thank the team: it’s a great indication of how we worked this winter. And that has been crucial: having a good winter can really make a difference. We still don’t know exactly how our car will perform in the race, but yesterday it seemed consistent and took care of the tires. Tomorrow, it will be about keeping the tires at the right temperature and preserving them during the stints. It will be an important day, and today’s qualifying will make things easier for us. »
Martin Whitmarsh, team principal
It feels good to be back at the front of the grid and take over the front row. Both our drivers drove very well all weekend and this afternoon, they were fantastic. Lewis’s pole, McLaren’s 148th in Formula 1 history, was a brilliant combination of commitment and control. It wasn’t so easy, both for Lewis and Jenson. Traffic was a challenge in Q1 and Q2, and in Q3 they had to work hard to get the best out of the tires. But, as I said, this is McLaren’s 148th pole, and tomorrow we hope to win our 176th Grand Prix. We think we have a good car for the race: we know we have two great drivers, so even if we do not underestimate the competition, and even if we are sure that tomorrow’s race will be as demanding as it is exciting, I think you can say that we believe in our chances.
