Q1
It took under two minutes into qualifying for the first action, as Renault’s Vitaly Petrov dropped his Renault R30 on a kerb at Rivage and struck the wall, causing a red flag and his session to be over.
Unbelievably the two Sauber’s followed suit in quick succession, with Kobayashi and then De La Rosa getting stuck in gravel traps on a damp and unpredictable track, where it was raining in some parts but not others.
In a crazy session, Trulli, Senna and Yamamoto were the other Q1 casualties as Kovalainen and Glock impressed to get through into Q2.
18. Trulli – Lotus – 2:01.491
19. Kobayashi – Sauber – 2:02.284
20. Senna – HRT – 2:03.612
21. Yamamoto – HRT – 2:03.941
22. de la Rosa – Sauber – 2:05.294
23. di Grassi – Virgin – 2:18.754
24. Petrov – Renault – no time
Q2
Amazingly after rain and grey skies over Spa in Q1, things changed drastically for Q2 as the sun came out!
It was a nightmare session for Mercedes, with Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg failing to make it through into the pole position shoot-out. Even worse, Schumacher will have a 10-place grid drop after his antics with Rubens Barrichello and a brick wall, and following a gearbox change, Rosberg will have a 5-place grid drop.
Both Williams cars squeezed through into Q3 with Barrichello 9th and Hulkenberg 10th. Alguersuari, Liuzzi, Buemi, Kovalainen and Glock were also eliminated as McLaren looked very comfortable at the top of the timesheets.
11. Schumacher – 1:47.874 (10-place grid penalty)
12. Rosberg – 1:47.885 (5-place grid penalty)
13. Alguersuari – 1:48.267
14. Liuzzi – 1:48.680
15. Buemi – 1:49.209
16. Kovalainen – 1:50.980
17. Glock – 1:52.049
Q3
With the good conditions overhead continuing, it was soft tyres which were the order of the session, as championship leader Mark Webber stormed to pole – some birthday present for the Aussie who was 34 yesterday!
Lewis Hamilton took 2nd ahead of Robert Kubica, with Sebastian Vettel and Jenson Button taking 4th and 5th.
Felipe Massa and Rubens Barrichello were 6th and 7th in the latter’s 300th Grand Prix. Adrian Sutil and Nico Hulkenberg were 8th and 9th as Fernando Alonso could only manage 10th in a disappointing session for Ferrari’s Spaniard.
Great from the top 3. Good form from Bruno, Heikki, Glock, Schu and Vet (who needed to save his own neck in q1) down to Rubens.
If it rains late in the game Rubens could do well. Tomorrow will be enthralling viewing with Web vs Ham
The way things started in the qualifying in Q1 after the green flag at one moment it made me felt that I am watching the race in Sunday & for some reason I missed the qualifying on Saturday.
Good job by Red Bull who many predicted that won’t be strong this weekend the weather may have help but hey you need some luck with you.Ferrai did disappointed but Mclaren did kept their promise. Mercedes still not looking the sharpness weapon as far making decision making is concern as they let out both drivers in front of traffic. Alonso is the happiest guy on earth & to make matter worst Massa is P6 who also didn’t had the best lap. Kubica is the surprise hope he stays on the podium if not a win.