Saturday: Red Bull positions itself nicely in Abu Dhabi
At the limit of the penalty for Red Bull drivers due to their engines, it was a rather calm and limited free practice session number 3 for Vettel and Webber. The former took 11th place having run only 19 laps. The Australian, Webber, struggled in just 15 laps and secured 15th position. On the other […]
At the limit of the penalty for Red Bull drivers due to their engines, it was a rather calm and limited free practice session number 3 for Vettel and Webber. The former took 11th place having run only 19 laps. The Australian, Webber, struggled in just 15 laps and secured 15th position.
On the other hand, it was a different story for the qualifying session. Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber repeatedly demonstrated that they would have to be reckoned with for the race and would do better than just qualify in Q3. Vettel would start from the front row, alongside Lewis Hamilton, taking the 2nd position. Webber ranks just behind in 3rd place.
Besides the podium, it’s truly the victory that the Red Bull drivers will be aiming for. Vettel wants to secure the honorary title of Vice-World Champion ahead of Rubens Barrichello.
Sebastian Vettel – 11th and 2nd:
I think that Mark and I were both surprised by Lewis’s gap. He has been fast all weekend and the McLaren seems to be very strong here. We could see in Q1 and Q2 that it would be difficult to match their pace. I think we did our best today. I am very happy so far, it should be a good race. The car is working well and it seems that the KERS button we have on the steering wheel isn’t working! I think we will have a good pace and the car will get better and better. I am looking forward to tomorrow.
Mark Webber – 15th and 3rd:
«It’s a happy day for the team. I’m pleased to be among the first on the grid, and we have a good chance tomorrow to achieve a good result. I’m surprised by Hamilton’s time. McLaren has clearly done a very good job, no question about it, it seems the track suits them perfectly. We will have to do our best to beat Hamilton tomorrow. I think the KERS gives him a good advantage, but even without the KERS, McLaren has developed a very good car. Tomorrow anything can happen.»
Christian Horner – Team Principal:
«First of all, what a fantastic circuit. Abu Dhabi is a very good addition to the F1 calendar. The end of the qualifying session was favorable to us with the 2nd and 3rd positions on the grid. It’s a very good result, but tomorrow’s race will be long, and the final exciting.»
