Formula 1
Malaysian GP: Williams qualifying report
The AT&T Williams team held approximate station with their qualifying performance just a week ago in Melbourne, setting up the prospect of a good opportunity to challenge for a points finish in tomorrow's race. Nico Rosberg led the team's ...
Published: Jun 19, 2009, 7:49 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The AT&T Williams team held approximate station with their qualifying performance just a week ago in Melbourne, setting up the prospect of a good opportunity to challenge for a points finish in tomorrow's race. Nico Rosberg led the team's performance into Q3 and used a scrubbed set of softer option tyres to record the sixth fastest time of the day with his race fuel on board. Kazuki Nakajima missed the possibility of joining his team-mate in the final qualifying shoot-out by less than a tenth of a second, but professed himself comfortable with his car and confident of a good race tomorrow with the additional advantage of the freedom to set his race fuel -- a tactic which saw him prosper in Australia. Both drivers will be assisted by grid penalties for two competitors that will see Nico Rosberg promoted to P4 for tomorrow's start and Kazuki Nakajima will start from eleventh place.
Nico Rosberg:
I am very happy with fourth on the grid for tomorrow's race. Our general pace in the first two qualifying sessions wasn't quite where we wanted to be, but it gave us enough to work with. Then in Q3, with some fuel in the car, it felt really nice which allowed me to put in a very good lap that put me on sixth, which after the penalties for the other cars, is on the second row. From that start position as well as with a good car and a good strategy, we can be optimistic and say we have a good chance to aim for a podium. One consideration is of course the start and I will have to check who will be using KERS around me. My preference for tomorrow would definitely be a dry race because it's always the safer way to go, but if it rains, even though it will mix things up, it will be no problem and we will make the best of either situation.
Kazuki Nakajima:
The car was good, I had a good feeling in the cockpit and everything went okay today, but I just needed to find another tenth to get into Q3. Despite this, I now have the freedom to fuel the car for the optimum strategy, and with this benefit and a good long run pace, a good finish is possible if I keep my head down during the race.
Sam Michael, Technical Director:
Today Nico had a good qualifying session and we expected that Kazuki would also make Q3, but he will nevertheless race well from just outside the top ten. The cars both ran well, without problems and we are looking forward to a strong race tomorrow and collecting some points.
* Vettel P3 plus 10 position penalty for infringements in Melbourne and Barrichello P4 plus 5 positions for a gearbox change. Rosberg start position therefore P4, Nakajima P11
-credit: williams
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 Malaysian GP: Practice 3 times
Next article Malaysian GP: Bridgestone qualifying report
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Kazuki Nakajima
Why Kazuki Nakajima sees the 2016 Le Mans defeat as Toyota’s WEC highlight
WEC
WEC
Imola
Why Kazuki Nakajima sees the 2016 Le Mans defeat as Toyota’s WEC highlight
Kobayashi 'joke' triggered Nakajima's Toyota WEC reserve return
WEC
WEC
Sebring
Kobayashi 'joke' triggered Nakajima's Toyota WEC reserve return
Nakajima appointed Toyota WEC reserve for 2023 season
WEC
WEC
Nakajima appointed Toyota WEC reserve for 2023 season
More from
Williams
Franco Colapinto, George Russell to sit out FP1 at F1 Mexico GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Franco Colapinto, George Russell to sit out FP1 at F1 Mexico GP
Fernando Alonso blasts driving standards of bottom half of F1 grid
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
Fernando Alonso blasts driving standards of bottom half of F1 grid
Latest news
Fernando Alonso 'beyond frustration' after engine issue in F1 Mexico GP qualifying
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
59 min
Fernando Alonso 'beyond frustration' after engine issue in F1 Mexico GP qualifying
How Marc Marquez could wrap up the 2026 MotoGP title in Qatar GP
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Malaysian GP
2 h
How Marc Marquez could wrap up the 2026 MotoGP title in Qatar GP
Kyle Busch Remembered: Rowdy's top Martinsville moments
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Martinsville II
3 h
Kyle Busch Remembered: Rowdy's top Martinsville moments
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