Rosberg claims first pole position with stunning lap
2012 Chinese Grand Prix qualifying
Nico Rosberg made history by claiming his first pole position in qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix.
He put Mercedes at the front of the grid for the first time since Juan Manuel Fangio led the field at Monza in 1955.
Michael Schumacher will start alongside him – he qualified third but second-placed Lewis Hamilton will take a five-place penalty.
Q1
Mark Webber was the quickest of the runners on the medium tyre in the first part of qualifying, ahead of the McLarens of Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton.
But many drivers found significant lap time improvement on the soft tyre – so much so that Button left the pits on a set in case his place in Q2 came under thread.
Sergio Perez ended the session fastest ahead of Fernando Alonso and Romain Grosjean, all on softs.
As in Malaysia, it was Jean-Eric Vergne who missed the cut for Q2. Both Toro Rosso drivers struggled to improve at the end of the session. “The start of the first lap’s good,” Daniel Ricciardo told his engineer, “but by the end of the first lap the traction is already becoming poor.”
Vergne was joined as usual by the Caterham, Marussia and HRT drivers.
Drivers eliminated in Q1
| 18 | Jean-Eric Vergne | Toro Rosso-Ferrari | 1’37.714 |
| 19 | Heikki Kovalainen | Caterham-Renault | 1’38.463 |
| 20 | Vitaly Petrov | Caterham-Renault | 1’38.677 |
| 21 | Timo Glock | Marussia-Cosworth | 1’39.282 |
| 22 | Charles Pic | Marussia-Cosworth | 1’39.717 |
| 23 | Pedro de la Rosa | HRT-Cosworth | 1’40.411 |
| 24 | Narain Karthikeyan | HRT-Cosworth | 1’41.000 |
Q2
Last year in China the shock result of qualifying was Webber’s elimination in Q1. This time it was Vettel’s turn to be knocked out early as he failed to progress beyond Q2.
It began with a strong effort by Fernando Alonso to get the Ferrari into Q3. His 1’35.982 sneaked him ahead of, among others, Vettel.
Most drivers did two runs during the session including both Red Bulls. But while Webber set the fastest time of the session with a 1’35.700, Vettel was 0.331s slower than his team mate.
Incredibly, that slender gap was the different between being fastest and, in Vettel’s case, not making it into the final ten.
He was eliminated along with Felipe Massa, the Williams and Force India drivers, and Daniel Ricciardo.
Romain Grosjean had to abort his first effort in Q2 after a mistake at turn 12. He recovered with a final effort to join his team mate in Q3.
Drivers eliminated in Q2
| 11 | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull-Renault | 1’36.031 |
| 12 | Felipe Massa | Ferrari | 1’36.225 |
| 13 | Pastor Maldonado | Williams-Renault | 1’36.283 |
| 14 | Bruno Senna | Williams-Renault | 1’36.289 |
| 15 | Paul di Resta | Force India-Mercedes | 1’36.317 |
| 16 | Nico Hulkenberg | Force India-Mercedes | 1’36.745 |
| 17 | Daniel Ricciardo | Toro Rosso-Ferrari | 1’36.956 |
Q3
The Mercedes duo plus Raikkonen and Hamilton were the first drivers on the track – and Rosberg set a stunning pace. A lap of 1’35.121 put him at the top of the times – and after that he got out of the car and didn’t make another attempt.
Back on track Hamilton and Schumacher tried to find the half-second between them and Rosberg but neither of them could get any closer.
Kamui Kobayashi showed Sauber had made progress with their one-lap pace by claiming fourth – which will become third after Hamilton’s penalty is applied.
The McLaren driver will fall to seventh behind Raikkonen, Button and Webber.
Several drivers struggled to improve as the temperature fell during the final session, and most posted slower laps or aborted their final runs.
Perez, Alonso and Grosjean complete the top ten – the latter choosing not to set a time.
Top ten in Q3
| 1 | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes | 1’35.121 |
| 2 | Lewis Hamilton | McLaren-Mercedes | 1’35.626 |
| 3 | Michael Schumacher | Mercedes | 1’35.691 |
| 4 | Kamui Kobayashi | Sauber-Ferrari | 1’35.784 |
| 5 | Kimi Raikkonen | Lotus-Renault | 1’35.899 |
| 6 | Jenson Button | McLaren-Mercedes | 1’36.191 |
| 7 | Mark Webber | Red Bull-Renault | 1’36.290 |
| 8 | Sergio Perez | Sauber-Ferrari | 1’36.524 |
| 9 | Fernando Alonso | Ferrari | 1’36.622 |
| 10 | Romain Grosjean | Lotus-Renault |
2012 Chinese Grand Prix
- F1 fans’ videos from the Chinese and Bahrain races
- First win makes Rosberg the Chinese GP Driver of the Weekend
- Rosberg’s China win rated fifth-best race of last five years
- Top ten pictures from the Chinese Grand Prix
- Rosberg becomes F1′s third second-generation race winner
Image © Daimler/Hoch Zwei
Chops (@chops) said on 14th April 2012, 8:38
Fantastic session! Great to see Vettel struggling for once! Also rather happy with my prediction, predicted Rosberg to get pole with a 1:35.123 :)
Kingshark (@kingshark) said on 14th April 2012, 8:40
How did you predict that? You’re a wizard!
Chops (@chops) said on 14th April 2012, 8:55
Fluke more than anything! Out of all the times since we started the predictions championship one is bound to be close.
caci99 (@caci99) said on 14th April 2012, 8:59
Wow, that’s a remarkable prediction. I predicted Schumi on pole, but really well done by Rosberg.
Half a second ahead with a tight pack we have seen in the previous two races. That is something.
Chops (@chops) said on 14th April 2012, 12:27
@caci99 Yes, I did briefly have Schumi on pole, but then I remembered Rosberg’s effort last year and his stuff ups in the previous qualifying sessions this year. Great to see him finally do it though, it’s funny to think that he’s been racing since 2006 without a pole or win. He thoroughly deserves it, and the gap was amazing considering how close Q2 was. Also really happy to see Kobayashi up there too! I thought we would see the end of him since Perez has really started to shine, but he bounced back wonderfully :)
OOliver said on 14th April 2012, 8:38
What a lap from Rosberg.
Great effort too from Kobayashi.
Button was the only disappointment today, I was expecting he would be at the very least, third.
As for Ferrari, it is hard to know if they actually designed a car or an umbrella.
Kingshark (@kingshark) said on 14th April 2012, 8:39
Nico’s first pole and people are discussing who’s going to jump him at the start? Disturbing!
walster (@walster) said on 14th April 2012, 8:43
your right my bad. and i really am very happy for Nico’s pole. he really had it coming.
Kingshark (@kingshark) said on 14th April 2012, 8:44
Lmao, you took it seriously?
Mad Eric (@mad-eric) said on 14th April 2012, 8:43
Unfortunately Michael’s starts have been better than Nico’s. I wish it was otherwise.
Kingshark (@kingshark) said on 14th April 2012, 8:43
Fingerboy missed Q3. Wherever his finger is; I know for a face that he’s showing eleven of them now. Horner’s full hand and his middle finger.
Ken said on 14th April 2012, 8:50
Hahahahah..Great one :D
caci99 (@caci99) said on 14th April 2012, 9:02
@kingshark Nice one :)
Maybe he is showing two fingers to form 11, but as the symbol of win.
evolutionut said on 14th April 2012, 9:10
epic
sato113 (@sato113) said on 14th April 2012, 8:49
mercedes were actually very average in the speed trap. the saubers were on top.
Jake (@jleigh) said on 14th April 2012, 9:24
Suggests they’ve added more wing. Could be sitting ducks in the race tomorrow with Kamui so close
The Money (@pamphlett31220) said on 14th April 2012, 8:51
I think anyone of the top 11 on the grid could win this race…and i can’t remember the last time i was so hesitant to pick a winner!.I predicted lewis for the win but i have a feeling Schumacher may add to his tally come tomorrow.
Autopulated (@autopulated) said on 14th April 2012, 8:56
Looks like maybe I should have predicted Kobayashi a higher finish than fourth!
Carlota said on 14th April 2012, 8:56
Vettel ,where is your finger? The tires should be the key in tomorrow race
Nickpkr said on 14th April 2012, 9:00
Looks like Sauber has a great chance to get third place on WCC
Luchiano said on 14th April 2012, 9:12
Now, the name of the game is
1. Speed
2. Consistency
3. Strategy
4. Balls
5. and good luck with the rain !
Kingshark (@kingshark) said on 14th April 2012, 9:18
And the winners of the game are…
1. Mclaren
2. Sauber
3. Mercedes/Red Bull
4. Kobayashi
5. Schumacher/Hamilton
Rahim.RG (@rahim-rg) said on 14th April 2012, 9:20
You can never discount Raikkonen
david said on 14th April 2012, 18:27
Someone forgets Alonso, Vettel and Sauber in the rain?
Fixy (@fixy) said on 14th April 2012, 9:17
I support Ferrari above other teams, but above all I am an F1 fan. I’m clearly not satisifed with where Ferrari are now, but I’m extremely happy for Rosberg, Schumacher, Kobayashi, Raikkonen, Mercedes and Sauber because they all managed to obtain great results today. It was just about time for Nico to have pole position, and I’m happy especiallly because it hopefully puts an end to rumours that he is overrated.
AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner) said on 14th April 2012, 17:20
Well said @Fixy
Switchbacker (@switchbacker) said on 14th April 2012, 9:24
It’s like being back in the 50s with an all Silver Arrows front row. Well, except for the racing in China, DRS, gear box change penalty etc !
Rahim.RG (@rahim-rg) said on 14th April 2012, 9:25
I’m having a feeling its gonna be a hot battle between Kobayashi and Raikkonen for 3rd or maybe even further up…That depends if Raikkonen does not get jumped by Button….
rahul1810 (@rahul1810) said on 14th April 2012, 9:34
I predict Lewis to win this one. He is the best overtaker in a car that is in all certainty the fastest in the race trim. Would also love to see Kimi on the podium step along with Schumi, but I feel that Jenson and Mark might have a thing or two to say about that. It would also be really interesting to see Alonso-Vettel battle out in the opening stages, with Grosjean sandwiched between them.
MahavirShah (@mahavirshah) said on 14th April 2012, 10:15
Nico’s lap was absolutely stunning. He hit every apex and every braking point down to the last millisecond. I think at the end he knew it as well and got out of the car with 4 minutes remaining !!! How often have we seen that happening, not very, even last year when Vettel was out qualifying everyone it was usually at the last second. Talk about confidence. I hope they do well, seriously well and Nico seems like the guy who deserves a win more than anyone else. Yet, I’m not ready to bet on the Mercedes yet because of their tyre issues and still call a McLaren win tomorrow. If Mercedes manage it, I think they would jump to the team to beat this year.