FORMULA 1
2014 BRITISH GRAND PRIX – QUALIFYING
Nico Rosberg took pole position for the British Grand Prix this afternoon with Lewis Hamilton qualifying in sixth place.
– This marked the eighth time in nine races of the 2014 season that the F1 W05 Hybrid has claimed pole position
– Lewis failed to set a time on his final lap after choosing to abort his run at the end of sector one, he will start P6
– Both drivers ran the following tyre strategy: Q1, Inter/Option; Q2, Inter/Option; Q3, Option/Option
Weather – Showers
Temperatures – Air: 15-16 °C, Track: 20 -23 °C
Nico Rosberg
Wow, what a qualifying. It was so tricky out there this afternoon with the rain and the conditions changing so quickly. It´s very satisfying to get everything right in these conditions and be able to come out on top. Thanks to the team today for guiding me through the hour so well. My last flying lap was difficult because we were very tight for time and I was stuck right up behind Lewis. Luckily he didn´t finish his lap but I remembered that we were losing three or four seconds in the last corners when it was very wet so there was an opportunity to make a real improvement and that I should keep going. It´s a great opportunity to start the race from pole and I´ll give it everything to take the win tomorrow.
Lewis Hamilton
I made a mistake today and pulled out of the lap when I should have kept going. It was a tough qualifying with the changing conditions and we got through most of it really well, until the most important part. It was my decision, a bad call, and that decided my qualifying. I´m so sorry to have disappointed the fans here today as their support has been fantastic and I´ll do what I can to have a great race for them tomorrow. I need to have a start like I had in Austria two weeks ago and then do my best to get back to the front; you never know what might happen. It´s difficult when you´re just out of the car to express your emotions and see the positive but I´ll go back to the team and my family now and we´ll build up for tomorrow from there.
Toto Wolff
It´s a case of mixed feelings this afternoon after qualifying. I´m delighted for Nico that he got pole right at the end: he had nothing to lose, because he was P2 after his first run, and got the job done in the final sector of the lap where he was able to make up over four seconds compared to his previous lap. On the other hand, I´m really disappointed for Lewis – he had done a great job to lead the times, then just thought it was too wet to improve and decided to abort. It´s easy to be smart in hindsight but these are split-second judgement calls and today was a bad day at the office for him. The way I know Lewis, though, he will take that disappointment and make it into extra motivation for the race. We seem to have strong pace in wet and dry conditions, so I am sure we will see our two cars fighting for the lead sooner rather than later tomorrow afternoon.