Monaco GP: Williams Saturday qualifying notes

A competitive qualifying performance from Nico Rosberg today has provided a good springboard for the team to maintain its strong competitive form of recent years at the Monaco Grand Prix. Claiming fifth place on the grid today was Nico's second best career qualifying performance and his best start position this season.

Team-mate Alex Wurz will start tomorrow's race from the mid-point in the field having set this afternoon's 12th quickest time. With wet weather conditions in morning practice, managing qualifying was a highly tactical exercise as the weather continuously threatened for the qualifying hour, keeping the pitlane planning for contingencies.

Nico Rosberg:

"I couldn't really predict where we would end up today, so qualifying fifth was fine. I was pushing like hell out there, particularly because I had some damage to my rear suspension on the first few laps of Q2, so it was really important that I recorded such a good time in the first run even if the track wasn't at its best and this got me through to the third session."

"Starting grid position is everything in Monaco, so we did well in the most important task so far this weekend. I reckon our chances for tomorrow's race are very good. We would be happy to finish where we are starting from - fifth place would be good, but it would be great to do better."

Alex Wurz:

"Today's outcome all came down to my last run in Q2 when I slid a bit wide in turn one and I guess that cost me making it through to Q3 and a place in the top ten. There is not much more to add - I am now 12th on the grid, so tomorrow I will see if it is possible to score some points, which some drivers have certainly managed in the past. To do this here will be hard, but it's a long race, so let's wait and see."

Sam Michael, Technical Director:

"Nico had a strong qualifying today although he did have a problem with the rear suspension in Q2 that meant he only managed one run, but it was quick enough to make it through to Q3 and pick up fifth place on the grid. Alex will start tomorrow in 12th and will be trying to improve on his start position in the race. From here he has free choice on fuel strategy."

-credit: williams