Saturday: First pole for Rosberg and an all-Mercedes front row

Nico Rosberg – 3rd and Pole position

«It’s a very special day for me because it’s my first pole position in Formula 1, and the first for a silver arrow since 1955 (Juan-Manuel Fangio in Italy). First of all, it was a strange feeling to watch the end of Q3 from the FIA garage because we decided to save a set of soft tires for the race, and I couldn’t do anything but watch! Seeing that I finished at the top of the standings with a half-second lead made me the happiest man today.

A big thank you to the team, to everyone here and in the factories, they’ve done an incredible job developing and improving our silver arrow. We don’t know what will happen in the race tomorrow, and it will be a challenge to stay ahead, but for now, I will enjoy this start alongside Michael from the front row, which is really a special moment for me.

Michael Schumacher – 4th and 3rd (2nd on the grid)

It’s truly a very special day for our team, having both silver arrows on the front row for the Chinese Grand Prix. It’s an excellent result, and I’m happy for everyone. Congratulations to Nico, he clinched his first pole position with a fabulous lap. I can easily recognize that he did the best job today, and I’m happy for him. I’m also happy for Norbert [Haug], Ross [Brawn], and all the guys here and at the factories in Brackley and Brixworth, who have had to wait a while and have been patient. We can only compliment them for the work done. A big thank you to Daimler for always supporting us; we do everything we can to place the Mercedes-Benz name at the front, where it should be.

As for me, I am also very happy, and of course, my ambition for the race is to hold my position. But tomorrow will be another story, even though in terms of settings we have mainly prepared the car for the race. We will clearly try to deliver a great performance and I can’t wait to be there.