Eleven points lost (Williams race review)
Williams were on course for fifth and sixth places with five laps to go before their drivers hit trouble. They ended up with seventh and tenth which keeps them behind Force India in the constructors’ championship.
| Rubens Barrichello | Nico Hülkenberg | |
| Qualifying position | 10 | 11 |
| Qualifying time comparison (Q2) | 1’37.511 (-0.109) | 1’37.620 |
| Race position | 7 | 10 |
| Laps | 55/55 | 55/55 |
| Pit stops | 1 | 2 |
Rubens Barrichello
Complained that he was held up by Michael Schumacher in Q2 but made it through to Q3 anyway, where he qualified tenth. The two Cosworth-powered Williams cars were at the bottom of the speed trap figures in qualifying.
He ran wide at turn four at the start, falling behind Hülkenberg and Adrian Sutil – but took one place back when Sutil went off on the next lap.
Pit stops and retirements promoted him to fifth place by the dying stages but he went off on lap 52, allowing Robert Kubica and Vitantonio Liuzzi past.
Compare Rubens Barrichello’s form against his team mate in 2010
Nico Hülkenberg
Felt he would have made it into Q3 had it not been for a mistake at turn 12 on his fastest lap. As it was Barrichello pipped him by a tenth of a second.
He passed Robert Kubica on lap 26 but pitting for intermediates on the lap before the safety car came out cost him places to Barrichello and Vitaly Petrov.
Towards the end of the race a slow puncture caused an off-track moment and a pit stop for fresh tyres, dropping him out of the points.
He recovered to snatch the final point for tenth off Jaime Alguersuari on the final lap.
Sam Michael said:
They were monitoring a tyre pressure leak, but suddenly it accelerated, so they had to pit. Nico did well to recover from the Safety Car and his puncture to score a point for the team.
Sam Michael
Compare Nico Hülkenberg’s form against his team mate in 2010
2010 Korean Grand Prix
- Mercedes deny Massa held up Schumacher for Alonso
- Korea say 168,000 attended first F1 race
- Alonso not considering Brazil title win
- Hamilton: Alonso would have passed me
- Button: “I will fight until it’s impossible”
- Horner hits back over Webber criticism
- Korean International Circuit: your verdict
- Montezemolo: “We haven’t won yet”
- 2010 Korean Grand Prix: the complete F1 Fanatic race weekend review
- Who was the best driver of the Korean Grand Prix weekend? (Poll)
Ben said on 25th October 2010, 12:59
Possibly Barrichello qualified 10th in Q3, not 12th?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 25th October 2010, 13:11
Indeed – fixed it.
Choltz said on 25th October 2010, 13:49
It is too bad Vettel’s attempt to get the race stopped early didn’t work… would have helped Williams too! :)
Icthyes (@icthyes) said on 25th October 2010, 14:34
Hulkenburg made a place up but was actually slower on the new tyres! Yesterday I speculated if McLaren might have given Hamilton new tyres and then made his way back up to fight Alonso, but the data here suggests the new tyres would have only stopped him from struggling in the end stages.
Steph said on 25th October 2010, 15:20
Keith on the last quote you have “Nico Hulkenberg” at the bottom but it’s from Sam Michael so I got a tad confused?
Such a shame Nico had to pit again. I think he did pretty well.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 25th October 2010, 15:23
Thanks Steph, fixed it.
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65) said on 25th October 2010, 18:31
so sad!
Williams deserve to be ahead of Force India. Their progress through the season was very good and they have had the speed to get their cars in Q3 frequently.
Such a shame they go a bit backwards on Sundays!!
Hope they manage to overtake FI in the end!
damonsmedley (@damonsmedley) said on 26th October 2010, 2:47
I am expecting a spirited drive from Rubens in Brazil. After all, it is about time he had a bit of luck in his home race. Hopefully he can manage a top 5 finish, that would satisfy me!
wasiF1 (@wasif1) said on 26th October 2010, 7:56
They were doing well until they had trouble.