Korean GP: McLaren qualifying report

LEWIS HAMILTON MP4-25A-02 P3 programme 2nd 1m37.402s (+0.048s) 16 laps Qualifying Q1 1st 1m37.113s (on Primes) Q2 4th 1m36.197s (on Options) Q3 4th 1m36.062s (on Options) "The team made a phenomenal effort to get all the new parts to ...

LEWIS HAMILTON
MP4-25A-02
P3 programme
2nd 1m37.402s (+0.048s) 16 laps

Qualifying
Q1 1st 1m37.113s (on Primes)
Q2 4th 1m36.197s (on Options)
Q3 4th 1m36.062s (on Options)

"The team made a phenomenal effort to get all the new parts to the track for this race, and everybody has done a fantastic job at the track all weekend.

"We were very quick in practice, so I don't know where the Red Bulls found an extra half a second in Q3. Still, it's important to remember that we're still in the fight: we make good starts, and there are some long straights here, which should suit us.

"I feel that we're competitive -- the car is the best it's ever been and our long runs are strong. We just need to do the best we can with what we have -- we can't ask any more of the guys back at the factory, or the guys here, and I don't think I could have asked for any more from me.

"So, yes, we can still have a very good race tomorrow."

JENSON BUTTON
MP4-25A-01
P3 programme
7th 1m38.419s (+1.065s) 15 laps

Qualifying
Q1 10th 1m38.123s (on Primes)
Q2 7th 1m37.064s (on Options)
Q3 7th 1m36.731s (on Options)

"Yesterday and this morning I was very happy with the car; the balance was extremely good and we were looking strong.

"This afternoon I couldn't get the tyres up to temperature and struggled a bit with locking fronts and rears. I didn't have enough grip and couldn't find enough pace.

"It's going to be a bit tough tomorrow, whatever the weather does. But the good news is that I'll be starting from the clean side of the grid, and there are a couple of long straights after the first corner, so it'll be a fun first lap!"

MARTIN WHITMARSH
Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

"The conditions in qualifying today were pretty challenging -- low-grip Tarmac combined with low-ish track temperatures -- and as a result it was difficult to get the tyres up to optimal operating temperature fast enough.

"Both our drivers drove sensibly and well to get safely through to Q3 -- and, once there, we elected to give them each two single-lap runs. They both drove very good laps -- but as things turned out it wasn't easy to nail a time on a single lap.

"However, we're very positive about tomorrow's race. We've got a very good race car, with strong straight-line speed, and as a result both Jenson and Lewis will be able to drive attacking races."