Formula 1
Mercedes Belgian GP - Spa Friday practice report
Mercedes press release
Edited: Aug 27, 2011, 2:49 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Nico Rosberg qualified in fifth place at the end of an action-packed qualifying at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit this afternoon, whilst team-mate Michael Schumacher's session was unfortunately brought to an early conclusion in Q1.
• Nico's fifth position on the grid is his best since the Turkish Grand Prix earlier this season
• Michael did not complete a timed lap after his right rear wheel detached between Turns 7 and 8 on his out-lap
• The subsequent accident prevented him from taking any further part in the session
• The team will thoroughly investigate the cause of the incident
• Both cars were running dry set-ups in the expectation of better conditions for the race on Sunday afternoon
Nico Rosberg, Mercedes GP
Photo by: xpb.cc
Nico Rosberg
"It was a typical Spa day today, and a difficult situation out there with the conditions changing all the time. Wet, intermediates and dry tyres; we had everything today but we made the most out of it. Two cars from the top three teams are starting behind me which is nice to see. The team really got it right with the strategy, and everything that we did worked out well today. I'm confident for a good result tomorrow as we set the car up with the race conditions in mind, and the car has also been working well in all conditions."
Michael Schumacher
"Well, obviously I would have wished for a different end to today's qualifying, but it is difficult to drive on three wheels - even if I should have the experience to do so in Spa.
Michael Schumacher, Mercedes GP F1 Team
Photo by: xpb.cc
Seriously, this is certainly something that should not occur, but then this is also Formula One; we are working at the highest level but still things can happen. At first, I wasn't sure what had happened, as I just felt myself lose the back end suddenly which is why I instantly apologised to the team. But then I saw the wheel off the car and understood the reason why I had lost control. Trying to find the good in the bad, I'd probably say that I still have some fresh sets of tyres left, and that there is only one direction to go tomorrow: forward."
It would appear there was something amiss with the right rear wheel attachment
Ross Brawn
Ross Brawn
"Nico had a very good qualifying session this afternoon. He drove intelligently, pushed when he had to, and the guys on the pit wall called the weather just right. I was really pleased with how things went for him today. Naturally, I am on the other hand disappointed for Michael, because the conditions would have suited him perfectly. We need to look at exactly what happened, but it would appear there was something amiss with the right rear wheel attachment, and we need to go through it carefully tonight to ensure there can be no repeat. Both cars were running a dry set-up, so we did not compromise anything for today's conditions and we are hoping it will stay dry for tomorrow. Time will tell if that is the right call."
Norbert Haug
"Nico and the team delivered a good performance this afternoon. Thanks to the right timing and an excellent lap, we got the most out of the conditions with his fifth place - and Nico also qualified ahead of two of the current Championship contenders. It was a real shame for Michael that he lost his right rear wheel on the very first lap out of the pits. Our apologies go to him, and we need to investigate exactly what happened. Along with all the spectators, we and Michael are looking forward tomorrow to what we hope will be an attacking drive from the back of the grid in his anniversary race. Spa always has something special in store for Michael - just as Michael does for Spa."
Driver Car No. Chassis No. Practice 3 Qualifying 1 Qualifying 2 Qualifying 3 Nico Rosberg 8 MGP W02 / 07 P7 P8 2:05.091 P6 2:03.723 P5 1:50.552 Michael Schumacher 7 MGP W02 / 09 P10 P24 No timed lap - -
Weather - Damp with frequent showers
Temperatures - Air: 15-17°C Track: 18-23°C
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Force India Belgian GP - Spa qualifying report
Next article Sauber Belgian GP - Spa qualifying report
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Nico Rosberg
James Vowles faces "tough moment" as Nico Rosberg calls Williams woes "a shocker"
Formula 1
Formula 1
Spanish GP
James Vowles faces "tough moment" as Nico Rosberg calls Williams woes "a shocker"
Kimi Antonelli could get "more and more panicked" in F1 title fight, says Nico Rosberg
Formula 1
Formula 1
Spanish GP
Kimi Antonelli could get "more and more panicked" in F1 title fight, says Nico Rosberg
Nico Rosberg proposes major F1 VSC rule change after Lando Norris Spanish GP setback
Formula 1
Formula 1
Spanish GP
Nico Rosberg proposes major F1 VSC rule change after Lando Norris Spanish GP setback
More from
Mercedes
‘I’ll put a pillow under his butt’ – How Toto Wolff wants to solve Kimi Antonelli’s track limits problem
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
‘I’ll put a pillow under his butt’ – How Toto Wolff wants to solve Kimi Antonelli’s track limits problem
George Russell calls Red Bull "the team to beat" in F1, but Kimi Antonelli adds a key caveat
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
George Russell calls Red Bull "the team to beat" in F1, but Kimi Antonelli adds a key caveat
Latest news
Jorge Martin: “I don’t feel I will struggle anymore” in MotoGP title run-in
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Indonesian GP
10 min
Jorge Martin: “I don’t feel I will struggle anymore” in MotoGP title run-in
"Extremely difficult": Calendar clashes threaten Marco Wittmann's DTM future
DTM
DTM DTM 16 min
"Extremely difficult": Calendar clashes threaten Marco Wittmann's DTM future
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe