"Cato Batista" 22/11/2014 22:23:19 ID #704

Ladies and Gentlemen,

When it comes to QF Nico clearly has the upper hand over Lewis. This pole was particularly important because the driver in front during the race will have priority in calling the strategy. Williams took the second row with BOT ahead of MAS as the Finn got the car to his liking when it mattered the most. Red Bull was 5th & 6th, too far from Williams but comfortably ahead of the rest, but the front wings of its cars were suspiciously too low and scraping the track surface. When the session was over it was announced they were excluded from qualifying because their front wing flaps were flexing under aerodynamic load and were ruled illegal. Both RIC and VETare now going to the back of the grid. It was another impressive showing by KVY to get P7 ahead of BUT’s McLaren and both Ferraris. ALO was very quick but for some reason (saving tyres?  his last old engine?) did only a limited number of laps.

Our QF results were bad, very bad. Carlos and Alberto scored 4-point plenums but the rest of us struggled. Three of you -Fernando, Santiago & Lou- saved face thanks to ROS ahead of HAM, after that it was pretty much a wasted opportunity - half of all of us came out empty handed!.

The revised grid for tomorrow:

ROS  HAM  BOT  MAS  KVY  BUT  RAI  ALO  MAG  VER

GRO has a 20 grid-position penalty and will start last, just behind RIC (18) and VET (19)

In paper this should be a circuit with good passing opportunities with its two long DRS-straights followed by heavy braking areas, but the reality is that this layout produces dull races and overtaking is extremely difficult. Positions will be made by tyre management and fast adapting the strategy for the 55 laps. The past 5 editions were won by VET (3 times), HAM & RAI; only one of them (VET) from the pole position. The driver starting in second place has won 3 times. From the 18 GPs of this season the poleman has won half of them. This will be the first winless year by Ferrari since 1993, the first season also since 1980 that neither McLaren or Ferrari had won a race.

And for the last chance of glory this year:

Cato - ROS  HAM  BOT  MAS  BUT  ALO

Your turn, everything is on the line - no pressure!

Enjoy!