European Grand Prix qualifying
Summary
- Qualifying at 14:00 BST
- Hamilton fastest in final practice
- Perez crashes into wall, Bottas' car damaged by drain cover
F1 Zorg & Badger GP Fantasy Grand Prix 2016
- Thread starter hard top
- Start date
Summary
Lewis Hamilton isn't the only speedy Brit in the region. Tim Peake landed just over 2,000 miles away from the European Grand Prix this morning in deepest rural Kazakhstan.
His Soyuz capsule hit terra firma at 80 miles per second, which is about 180mph.
So slower than Hamilton down the back straight, then.
Although he did have the parachute deployed to be fair. (514mph before that, so....)
His Soyuz capsule hit terra firma at 80 miles per second, which is about 180mph.
So slower than Hamilton down the back straight, then.
Although he did have the parachute deployed to be fair. (514mph before that, so....)
First qualifying ends
Posted at 14:20
Rosberg finishes Q1 faster than Hamilton.
The men to miss out are:
Haryanto, Wehrlein, Button, Ericsson, Magnussen, Palmer.
The McLaren driver is going to start 18th at best.
Desperate after he's looked decent so far in Baku. And he's just sworn over the team radio.
Posted at 14:20
Rosberg finishes Q1 faster than Hamilton.
The men to miss out are:
Haryanto, Wehrlein, Button, Ericsson, Magnussen, Palmer.
The McLaren driver is going to start 18th at best.
Desperate after he's looked decent so far in Baku. And he's just sworn over the team radio.
Button to start 19th
Posted at 14:21
Confirmation that Jenson Button will start Sunday's race in 19th, ahead of only Marcus Ericsson and the two Renaults.
Jolyon Palmer is the man right at the abck of the grid.
Button finished in the top 10 of all three practice sessions as well.
"It wasn't a performance thing that stopped Jenson Button there. That was down to traffic. The team has GPS and they can see where cars are on the track - you would have thought you'd find enough space to give your driver a chance of recording a competitive time."
"Jenson Button has now been out-qualified 6-1 by his team-mate Fernando Alonso this season. He was also out-qualified by Stoffel Vandoorne in his one race."
Posted at 14:21
Confirmation that Jenson Button will start Sunday's race in 19th, ahead of only Marcus Ericsson and the two Renaults.
Jolyon Palmer is the man right at the abck of the grid.
Button finished in the top 10 of all three practice sessions as well.
"It wasn't a performance thing that stopped Jenson Button there. That was down to traffic. The team has GPS and they can see where cars are on the track - you would have thought you'd find enough space to give your driver a chance of recording a competitive time."
"Jenson Button has now been out-qualified 6-1 by his team-mate Fernando Alonso this season. He was also out-qualified by Stoffel Vandoorne in his one race."
Jenson Button: "We were a bit unlucky. To be fair I made a mistake at Turn 15 and locked it up and went off. I did a doughnut and that’s not good for tyres. We should have put on new tyres. It is what it is. There’s only one place to overtake and that's the main straight - we found it difficult on our long runs yesterday but we’ll try our best to overtake."
Hamilton at risk of missing Q3
Posted at 14:38
Big improvement from Max Verstappen, who goes third fastest in his Red Bull, 1.867secs behind Nico Rosberg.
Lewis Hamilton goes straight on at turn seven and he's right on the bubble in 10th. Just two mins left!
Posted at 14:38
Big improvement from Max Verstappen, who goes third fastest in his Red Bull, 1.867secs behind Nico Rosberg.
Lewis Hamilton goes straight on at turn seven and he's right on the bubble in 10th. Just two mins left!
Hamilton goes second
Posted at,14:40
He's slower than Nico Rosberg but it should be enough to get through to the pole position shootout - it's a 1.43.939 and he's second quickest. And breathe...
Posted at,14:40
He's slower than Nico Rosberg but it should be enough to get through to the pole position shootout - it's a 1.43.939 and he's second quickest. And breathe...
14:49
Lewis Hamilton would have ended up 12th and missed out on all the fun if he hadn't completed that last lap at the conclusion of Q2.
Lewis Hamilton would have ended up 12th and missed out on all the fun if he hadn't completed that last lap at the conclusion of Q2.
Crash! Hamilton hits the wall
Posted at 15:58
Lewis Hamilton's quali is over! And the red flag is out.
Posted at 15:58
Lewis Hamilton's quali is over! And the red flag is out.
Hamilton to start ninth at best
Posted at 15:03
Formula 1
F1 Team Radio
https://twitter.com/F1
RED FLAG Q3 HAM: "I'm out. I'm out of this session..." #EuropeGP #Quali
It's going to be ninth on the grid at best for Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen has the chance to leapfrog him.
The time to beat? 2.01.954. Verstappen should be able to manage that.
Q3 resumes
Posted at 15:04
As they were leaving the pits, Sebastian Vettel nearly collected one of the Williams.
Posted at 15:03
Formula 1
F1 Team Radio
https://twitter.com/F1
RED FLAG Q3 HAM: "I'm out. I'm out of this session..." #EuropeGP #Quali
It's going to be ninth on the grid at best for Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen has the chance to leapfrog him.
The time to beat? 2.01.954. Verstappen should be able to manage that.
Q3 resumes
Posted at 15:04
As they were leaving the pits, Sebastian Vettel nearly collected one of the Williams.
Hamilton crashes in Baku qualifying
Summary
- Hamilton hits wall, handing certain pole to Rosberg
- Rosberg fastest in Q1 & Q2, Hamilton just makes it into Q3 after going off
- Haas cars, Alonso, Sainz out in Q2, Button out in Q1
- Manors, Renaults and Ericsson out in Q1
The top 10
Posted at 15:10
ROS
PER
RIC
VET
RAI
MAS
KVY
BOT
VES
HAM
But remember Sergio Perez has a five-place grid penalty so will start seventh.
Final qualifying standings
Oh dear......how sad.....never mind!!This race looks like it is not going to be good for me points wise...
.
'I was not on it today'....Hamilton..
"I couldn't tell you what the possibilities are for tomorrow. It's damage limitation from here. The team made a change to something overnight but I was just not on it today."
Bottas ruined our laps - Verstappen
Max Verstappen is not at all happy with Williams' Valtteri Bottas after they twice nearly came together in Q3, including as they were both starting their final flying laps.
"What happened? He was destroying my lap and he was destroying his own lap," the Dutchman tells Channel 4.
"I just don't understand it."
Bottas isn't happy either, Max....
Really bad Q today Starting 8th. In Q3 did not have a lap due to traffic and then red flag. Tomorrow!! #F1Baku
James Morgan: Those writing Hamilton off for the race & championship would do well to remember how far back he was just two races ago...
Robbie W: If anyone can fight form down the grid for the win it's Hamilton. Something very few other drivers can do, least of all Rosberg.
Simon Olivari: If they had brought the red flags out immediately for Hamilton's crash then Rosberg couldn't set his time! Interesting delay there.
Don Uorri: "The team made a change to something overnight." HAM trying to shift blame?
"I couldn't tell you what the possibilities are for tomorrow. It's damage limitation from here. The team made a change to something overnight but I was just not on it today."
Bottas ruined our laps - Verstappen
Max Verstappen is not at all happy with Williams' Valtteri Bottas after they twice nearly came together in Q3, including as they were both starting their final flying laps.
"What happened? He was destroying my lap and he was destroying his own lap," the Dutchman tells Channel 4.
"I just don't understand it."
Bottas isn't happy either, Max....
Really bad Q today Starting 8th. In Q3 did not have a lap due to traffic and then red flag. Tomorrow!! #F1Baku
James Morgan: Those writing Hamilton off for the race & championship would do well to remember how far back he was just two races ago...
Robbie W: If anyone can fight form down the grid for the win it's Hamilton. Something very few other drivers can do, least of all Rosberg.
Simon Olivari: If they had brought the red flags out immediately for Hamilton's crash then Rosberg couldn't set his time! Interesting delay there.
Don Uorri: "The team made a change to something overnight." HAM trying to shift blame?
European Grand Prix
Team radio - Kimi Raikkonen
Posted at 15:17
"There is some plastic flying around. I had to avoid it."
There was also some beeping on that radio message. Having looked at it, it's pretty dangerous. A blue plastic bag, the kind you get from the corner shop, explodes under the Ferrari. Plastic flies like confetti.
Sahara Force India
ForceIndia F1
Very relieved to see Checo narrowly avoiding the blue plastic bag. Bad for your side pods, and there's even a 5p charge now. #EuropeGP
Here's that plastic bag Kimi was swearing his head off about...
He may have something else to swear about now as well.
Lap 13/51
Posted at 15:27
Raikkonen is being investigated for going over the pit-lane entry line. He's in P8.
The pesky plastic bag
Posted at 15:27
Formula 1
F1
UP-CLOSE: Even in the heat of battle, VET still has time to think about recycling #EuropeGP
Posted at 15:47
Lap 25/51
Posted at 15:48
Halfway - here's the top 10:
ROS, RAI, VET, PER, HAM, MAS, BOT, SAI, ALO, HUL
Rachel T: Unless we have a safety car, ROS might lap the entire field.
Nathan Marzan: For such an interesting track this race is turning out to be quite boring.
Amit Mandalia: This race is proving quite sedate after the carnage of GP2
Lap 27/51
Posted at 15:52
Right. Not wanting to wish harm on anyone - but a safety car would sure liven things up.
Team radio - Lewis Hamilton
Posted at 15:53
Lewis Hamilton is not too happy with his team
"You guys need to pick up the pace," says the world champion, to his mechanics.
He's not happy with the kinetic energy coming from his brakes.
Lap 25/51
Posted at 15:48
Halfway - here's the top 10:
ROS, RAI, VET, PER, HAM, MAS, BOT, SAI, ALO, HUL
Rachel T: Unless we have a safety car, ROS might lap the entire field.
Nathan Marzan: For such an interesting track this race is turning out to be quite boring.
Amit Mandalia: This race is proving quite sedate after the carnage of GP2
Lap 27/51
Posted at 15:52
Right. Not wanting to wish harm on anyone - but a safety car would sure liven things up.
Team radio - Lewis Hamilton
Posted at 15:53
Lewis Hamilton is not too happy with his team
"You guys need to pick up the pace," says the world champion, to his mechanics.
He's not happy with the kinetic energy coming from his brakes.
Lap 28/51
Posted at 15:55
This is a hard slog for McLaren today - Alonso and Button are P15 and P16.
Ferrari, who were calling our bluff with those slow practice sessions, have a P2 and P3 with Raikkonen and Vettel respectively.
Scratch that - they've swapped places. Raikkonen lets his team-mate past.
Lap 30/51
Posted at1 5:58
So, that switch has definitely helped Vettel. He's taken a couple of seconds off Rosberg's lead - but it still stands at 18 seconds.
Raikkonen has that five-second penalty of course.
Team radio - Kimi Raikkonen
Posted at 15:59
"Thank you, Kimi," says Ferrari mechanics.
The Finn doesn't sound too happy though and replies: "Well tell him to push. I don't want him in front of me."
Kimi Raikkonen, giving with one hand, taking with the other.
Team radio - Lewis Hamilton
Posted at 16:02
Lewis Hamilton is told: "The problem is with the current mode you are in."
Hamilton replies: "Oh, I don't know what you mean man."
Team radio - Lewis Hamilton
Posted at 16:14
Some great exchanges between Lewis Hamilton and his Mercedes mechanics. Here's some of what they said.
Hamilton: "This is ridiculous guys, I don't know. I'm looking at my fricking dash every five seconds trying to find a switch in the wrong position. I've not changed anything or down anything wrong that I'm aware of."
Mercedes: "There is nothing you are doing wrong, just a setting that is incorrect."
Hamilton: "In HTB?"
Mercedes: "I'm afraid I can't say."
Hamilton: "I might not finish this race as I'm going to try and change everything."
Mercedes: "We do not advise that Lewis."
Hamilton: "Can I make suggestions and you say if it's OK or not?"
Mercedes: "No, that's not allowed. Let's just got our heads down and focus on the job."
Anyway, all this radio chat tells what you need to know about the race. It promised so much silliness - but it's been so sensible, like a groom on his stag do who goes home at 9pm.
Posted at 15:55
This is a hard slog for McLaren today - Alonso and Button are P15 and P16.
Ferrari, who were calling our bluff with those slow practice sessions, have a P2 and P3 with Raikkonen and Vettel respectively.
Scratch that - they've swapped places. Raikkonen lets his team-mate past.
Lap 30/51
Posted at1 5:58
So, that switch has definitely helped Vettel. He's taken a couple of seconds off Rosberg's lead - but it still stands at 18 seconds.
Raikkonen has that five-second penalty of course.
Team radio - Kimi Raikkonen
Posted at 15:59
"Thank you, Kimi," says Ferrari mechanics.
The Finn doesn't sound too happy though and replies: "Well tell him to push. I don't want him in front of me."
Kimi Raikkonen, giving with one hand, taking with the other.
Team radio - Lewis Hamilton
Posted at 16:02
Lewis Hamilton is told: "The problem is with the current mode you are in."
Hamilton replies: "Oh, I don't know what you mean man."
Team radio - Lewis Hamilton
Posted at 16:14
Some great exchanges between Lewis Hamilton and his Mercedes mechanics. Here's some of what they said.
Hamilton: "This is ridiculous guys, I don't know. I'm looking at my fricking dash every five seconds trying to find a switch in the wrong position. I've not changed anything or down anything wrong that I'm aware of."
Mercedes: "There is nothing you are doing wrong, just a setting that is incorrect."
Hamilton: "In HTB?"
Mercedes: "I'm afraid I can't say."
Hamilton: "I might not finish this race as I'm going to try and change everything."
Mercedes: "We do not advise that Lewis."
Hamilton: "Can I make suggestions and you say if it's OK or not?"
Mercedes: "No, that's not allowed. Let's just got our heads down and focus on the job."
Anyway, all this radio chat tells what you need to know about the race. It promised so much silliness - but it's been so sensible, like a groom on his stag do who goes home at 9pm.
Lap 44/51
Posted at 16:23
Hamilton has managed to enter the correct combo of buttons on his steering wheel.
Maybe he forgot his password - I do that all the time.
Team radio - the end for Fernando Alonso
Posted at 16:24
He is told: "OK Fernando, we can see the problem getting worse. We need you to box this lap."
Lap 46/51
Posted at 16:28
Kimi is furious because he can't receive an instruction on the radio. When is Kimi not furious?
James Morgan: Incredible persistence & ability from Hamilton to hold position & still work on settings to such an extent.
Team radio - Lewis Hamilton
Posted at 16:28
Mercedes: "Lewis, you are the fastest car on the track, nine laps remaining."
Hamilton: "I've got power back."
Team radio - Kimi Raikkonen
Posted at 16:29
It is a tough day for the Ferrari mechanics, dealing with a very unhappy Kimi Raikkonen.
The latest team radio exchange -
Raikkonen: "Is it the handling? Is it the same as the last race."
Ferrari: "I can't answer Kimi, I can't answer I'm sorry."
Raikkonen: "For sure you can say 'yes' or 'no'."
Ferrari: "I can't Kimi, I can't."
Ashley Norris: This radio ban is utterly ridiculous too. What a moronic rule.
Richard: I watch F1 to see late braking overtakes & wheel to wheel action. Whether the driver fully understands every setting is not exciting.
Posted at 16:23
Hamilton has managed to enter the correct combo of buttons on his steering wheel.
Maybe he forgot his password - I do that all the time.
Team radio - the end for Fernando Alonso
Posted at 16:24
He is told: "OK Fernando, we can see the problem getting worse. We need you to box this lap."
Lap 46/51
Posted at 16:28
Kimi is furious because he can't receive an instruction on the radio. When is Kimi not furious?
James Morgan: Incredible persistence & ability from Hamilton to hold position & still work on settings to such an extent.
Team radio - Lewis Hamilton
Posted at 16:28
Mercedes: "Lewis, you are the fastest car on the track, nine laps remaining."
Hamilton: "I've got power back."
Team radio - Kimi Raikkonen
Posted at 16:29
It is a tough day for the Ferrari mechanics, dealing with a very unhappy Kimi Raikkonen.
The latest team radio exchange -
Raikkonen: "Is it the handling? Is it the same as the last race."
Ferrari: "I can't answer Kimi, I can't answer I'm sorry."
Raikkonen: "For sure you can say 'yes' or 'no'."
Ferrari: "I can't Kimi, I can't."
Ashley Norris: This radio ban is utterly ridiculous too. What a moronic rule.
Richard: I watch F1 to see late braking overtakes & wheel to wheel action. Whether the driver fully understands every setting is not exciting.
Rosberg wins in Baku
Summary
- Rosberg wins, Vettel 2nd, Perez 3rd
- Hamilton started 10th, finishes fifth after loss of power
- Hamilton spends much of race trying to adjust incorrect steering wheel setting
- Kvyat, Sainz, Wehrlein & Alonso out
16:44
Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel shake hands in the winners' room, which is endowed with very fancy sofas.
Perez joins the party and Rosberg asks how he got third.
"Kimi had a five-second penalty... but I passed him anyway."
Nice Checo. Very nice.
16:45
Rosberg seems to accidentally poke himself in the eye during that conversation.
He can drive a car at 200mph but can't mover his finger away from his face without sticking it in his pupil.
Champagne moment
Posted at 16:48
Fizzy fizzy fizz fizz.
Three grown men spray a beverage on each other. Beautiful.
16:50
Oh look, it's Eddie Jordan to do the interviews.
I thought I could hear his shirt.
'I was expecting a safety car'
Posted at 16:54
Second-placed Sebastian Vettel
I expected two, darn it, more points lost....
'Sorry Tim, you'll have to work this out by yourself'
Posted at 17:35
Tim Peake - launched into space, where he spends six months fixing highly technical things on spacewalks, before successfully navigating his way back to Earth.
Lewis Hamilton: "Which button do I press?" Team: "Not telling you."
Doh...
Posted at 17:35
Tim Peake - launched into space, where he spends six months fixing highly technical things on spacewalks, before successfully navigating his way back to Earth.
Lewis Hamilton: "Which button do I press?" Team: "Not telling you."
Doh...