Williams Monaco GP Qualifying Report
Circuit de Monaco
MONACO GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING
Pastor Maldonado and Rubens Barrichello demonstrated their command of the streets of Monte Carlo this afternoon to deliver AT&T Williams’ strongest qualifying performance of the season so far.
Pastor cleared Qs one and two with ease to lead the team into Q3 for the second race in succession. With a fastest lap of 1:16.528, Pastor will line up in ninth position on the grid. Traffic compromised Rubens’ efforts to set a fully competitive lap time in the closing stages of Q2. Excluded from a place in the top ten by less than three tenths, Rubens will start his 19th Monaco Grand Prix in P12.
Sam Michael, Technical Director:
Obviously our first thoughts are with Sergio Perez and the whole team wishes him a quick recovery. Pastor did well to qualify in the top ten again today. Two races in a row shows strong progress. Monaco requires a car with good mechanical balance, maximum downforce and plenty of concentration from the drivers. We have work to do but we're heading in that direction.
Pastor Maldonado:
I’m happy! We were consistent in Q1 and Q2 and I made it into Q3. It was very tight at the end of the session because of the red flag; we had just over two minutes to do our lap, so I’m pleased with ninth. We’ve been competitive throughout the weekend and we squeezed 100% out of our package again today. Our pace is strong and I will do my best to get us into the points tomorrow. I hope Sergio is ok and wish him well.
Rubens Barrichello:
The car felt ok but it seemed quicker on older tyres. When I went onto new tyres I didn’t get the grip I was expecting. That was the difference today and I’m a few tenths behind. It was strange and we need to understand why that was the case. I need the car to stick to the ground as much as possible. That is what I am looking for. Strategies are going to play a big part tomorrow. We all hope Sergio is ok.
Source: Williams
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