Saturday – Brawn GP secures the front row for its first race!

Rubens Barrichello had announced it before the start of the season: Brawn GP would be the surprise of the year! Ross Brawn’s GP team dispelled all suspicions surrounding them and once again shook up the competition on Saturday with their consistency and speed.

After problem-free qualifying, the young team will start its first Grand Prix with both cars on the front row! An extraordinary performance, with Jenson Button securing his fourth pole position – the second in Melbourne – ahead of his teammate Rubens Barrichello.

Jenson Button – 3rd and 1st:

« Putting the car on pole for our first race is really a fantastic result, and I have to thank Ross (Brawn), Nick (Fry), and everyone at the factory in Brackley so much. The last four months have been incredibly difficult for the team, and going from a situation where you don’t even know if you’re going to race to pole for the first race of the season is just incredible. »

Tomorrow is obviously the most important day of the weekend and there is still a lot of work to do to achieve a good result, but we must remember where we have been and make the most of this moment.

Rubens Barrichello – 6th and 2nd:

It was a great day and I want to thank the team for this remarkable work. I hoped to be able to get pole position, it started well in the first two sessions but in Q3 I had a bit of understeer which compromised my last laps. However, the front row with both cars is a real reward for the team and gives us a great chance for the race tomorrow.

« We have a very good car and everyone contributed to it. I am so happy to be racing at the front again. »

Ross Brawn – director of the Brawn GP team.

« Seeing our two cars at the top of the qualifying timesheet gives the team an excellent day, which started with the announcement of our partnership with Virgin this afternoon. The track conditions were better than those we experienced yesterday, and we found the tires were working in a more conventional manner. Moreover, the changes we made in yesterday’s practice sessions are positive, and both drivers had a very well-balanced car that allowed them to focus on their lap times. »

« Although this is a great success and gives our drivers an excellent opportunity for tomorrow’s race, the job is only half done and the whole team is now focused on achieving the best possible result in the race. I would like to pay tribute to Jenson, Rubens, and the entire team, both here and at the factory, for their performance today and to Mercedes-Benz for their unwavering support over the past few months. »