Hockenheimring: Status GP Qualifying report

WICKENS SECOND FASTEST IN WET QUALIFYING AT HOCKENHEIM Robert Wickens emerged from Saturday morning's 30-minute wet qualifying session at Hockenheim with the second fastest time ahead of this afternoon's GP3 Series feature race. The Canadian ...

WICKENS SECOND FASTEST IN WET QUALIFYING AT HOCKENHEIM

Robert Wickens emerged from Saturday morning's 30-minute wet qualifying session at Hockenheim with the second fastest time ahead of this afternoon's GP3 Series feature race.

The Canadian driver put his Status Grand Prix Dallara-Renault to the top of the time charts with his final lap of the session. But with 90 seconds still remaining before the chequered flag, and with the track drying all the time, his benchmark was just beaten in the dying moments by Manor Racing's James Jakes. Both drivers, however, were carrying a grid penalty for a yellow flag infringement in yesterday's practice session, and Wickens will start the race in third position.

Silverstone race winner Daniel Morad, who had been fastest in yesterday's practice session, endured a difficult session in the slippery conditions. The GMH Motorsport-backed driver struggled to get his new set of wet tyres up to full operating temperature and, although he was placed in the top three at one stage, a couple of quick spins frustrated his efforts to repeat Friday's performance. In the end the Canadian-Lebanese driver was classified 23rd, and with a grid penalty - also for a yellow-flag infringement yesterday - he will start the 18-lap race from 24th.

Marussia Motors development driver Ivan Lukashevich also had a frustrating session after looking good on the wet track yesterday. Having been on the edge of the Top 20 for much of the session, the 19-year-old suffered a spin on the penultimate lap which prevented him from setting a time when the track was at its quickest, and he was left down in 29th position.

The Drivers' View

Robert Wickens (CAN): (Qual Position: 2nd. Fastest lap: 1m46.95s, +0.395s. Start Position: 3rd).
"In the first half of the session I was really just pounding round getting a feel for the tyres and the track conditions, and then really went for it when it mattered at the end. My timing of the last lap wasn't perfect, but I'm pretty happy to be second fastest and we can definitely do something from fourth on the grid in the race."

Daniel Morad (LIB): (Qual Position: 23rd. Fastest lap: 1m48.90s, +2.344s. Start Position: 24th).
"It was a very disappointing session because we didn't change anything on the car from yesterday except for a new set of wet tyres, but I'll just have to do my best this afternoon to come through and get a result."

Ivan Lukashevich (RUS): (Qual Position: 29th. Fastest lap: 1m49.99s, +3.108s. Start Position: 29th).
"Compared to yesterday I had a lot less grip on the car, and we need to figure it out. My spin on the penultimate lap certainly cost me, and now we're working hard on getting the best set-up for the race."