Favorite Ferrari struggle in qualifying for the Australian GP
Pre-race favorite Ferrari is notably absent from the front of the grid for Sunday's Australian Grand Prix, with Felipe Massa fourth in qualifying and defending champion Kimi Raikkonen starting from 15th position.
By Agencies |
MELBOURNE: Pre-race favorite Ferrari is notably absent from the front of the grid for Sunday's Australian Grand Prix, with Felipe Massa fourth in qualifying and defending champion Kimi Raikkonen starting from 15th position.
After posting the fastest time in the first two practice sessions, Raikkonen failed to progress past the first round of qualifying on Saturday when a fuel pump problem forced the reigning world champion to stop short of the pits after his timed run.
Raikkonen won last year's race from pole position, while teammate Massa spun out of qualifying and was relegated to 22nd after he changed his engine.
``I got the impression I was watching a replay of last year's qualifying, but an even worse version,'' Ferrari chief race engineer Luca Baldisserri said. ``We have a car on the second row and one which did not manage to take part in the second session because of an electrical fuel pump problem.''
Baldisserri said the team knew its car would struggle to achieve quick times over a single lap.
``However, we are competitive in terms of race pace and so we can be reasonably confident about tomorrow,'' he said. ``Even if Kimi clearly faces an uphill struggle given his grid position.''
Raikkonen coasted to a halt in the approach to pit lane when his fuel pump failed, and had to be pushed back to the garage by crew. He sat in his car at the start of the second session, but climbed out of the cockpit after being told the assistance from his crew meant he was not allowed to continue for the remaining phases.
He was moved up from 16th to 15th after Toyota's Timo Glock was relegated 10 places for rule infringements.
``Clearly I'm disappointed,'' the Finn said. ``These things happen, but its definitely not the best way to start the season.''
The disadvantage of starting from 15th will be greater in the first race for seven years where cars are not fitted with the traction control driving aid, raising the probability of trouble at the start.
Ferrari's closest rivals, pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton and fellow McLaren driver No. 3 qualifier Heikki Kovalainen, were less disappointed to have Raikkonen down the grid.
``It's surprising that Ferrari are not here at the (post-qualifying) press conference, but nevertheless they will still be strong and competitive in tomorrow's race,'' Kovalainen said.
But Hamilton said the absence of Raikkonen would not make his race any easier.
``I don't think so, because we're not really sure what sort of pace we'll have and I'll have a tough enough job with these guys here,'' he said, nodding to Kovalainen and No. 2 qualifier Robert Kubica. ``It's going to be a very tough race tomorrow and we'll have to do the best we can and hope for the best.''
Massa maintained he was still a contender for the Melbourne winner's trophy.
``Anything can happen and I can fight for the very top places,'' he said.
After posting the fastest time in the first two practice sessions, Raikkonen failed to progress past the first round of qualifying on Saturday when a fuel pump problem forced the reigning world champion to stop short of the pits after his timed run.
Raikkonen won last year's race from pole position, while teammate Massa spun out of qualifying and was relegated to 22nd after he changed his engine.
``I got the impression I was watching a replay of last year's qualifying, but an even worse version,'' Ferrari chief race engineer Luca Baldisserri said. ``We have a car on the second row and one which did not manage to take part in the second session because of an electrical fuel pump problem.''
Baldisserri said the team knew its car would struggle to achieve quick times over a single lap.
``However, we are competitive in terms of race pace and so we can be reasonably confident about tomorrow,'' he said. ``Even if Kimi clearly faces an uphill struggle given his grid position.''
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Raikkonen coasted to a halt in the approach to pit lane when his fuel pump failed, and had to be pushed back to the garage by crew. He sat in his car at the start of the second session, but climbed out of the cockpit after being told the assistance from his crew meant he was not allowed to continue for the remaining phases.
He was moved up from 16th to 15th after Toyota's Timo Glock was relegated 10 places for rule infringements.
``Clearly I'm disappointed,'' the Finn said. ``These things happen, but its definitely not the best way to start the season.''
The disadvantage of starting from 15th will be greater in the first race for seven years where cars are not fitted with the traction control driving aid, raising the probability of trouble at the start.
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Ferrari's closest rivals, pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton and fellow McLaren driver No. 3 qualifier Heikki Kovalainen, were less disappointed to have Raikkonen down the grid.
``It's surprising that Ferrari are not here at the (post-qualifying) press conference, but nevertheless they will still be strong and competitive in tomorrow's race,'' Kovalainen said.
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But Hamilton said the absence of Raikkonen would not make his race any easier.
``I don't think so, because we're not really sure what sort of pace we'll have and I'll have a tough enough job with these guys here,'' he said, nodding to Kovalainen and No. 2 qualifier Robert Kubica. ``It's going to be a very tough race tomorrow and we'll have to do the best we can and hope for the best.''
Massa maintained he was still a contender for the Melbourne winner's trophy.
``Anything can happen and I can fight for the very top places,'' he said.
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