• Canadian Grand Prix - Qualifying
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Schumacher perplexed at Q3 timing

ESPN Staff
June 9, 2012 « Differential problems hamper Raikkonen | Qualifying a 'missed opportunity' - di Resta »
Michael Schumacher had completed a slow lap before attempting to start his final attempt © Press Association
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Michael Schumacher has confirmed that he was told by his team that he hadn't started his flying qualifying lap in time during Q3.

Having set a time on his first run in the top ten shootout, Schumacher rejoined to do a second run containing two flying laps in order to get the most out of the supersoft tyres. However, he crossed the line just as the chequered flag fell and was unable to register a time with his second lap, leaving him in ninth place.

"Well, this certainly was not how we had planned our qualifying to be today," Schumacher said. "Our calculation for Q3 was to go for two laps and attack on the second one after we had seen at the beginning of Q3 that one lap did not work properly. I don't really know how we managed not to make it over the line early enough to start the second lap but, when I passed the line, the team told me it was too late."

Schumacher admitted that the front row was out of reach for Mercedes, but said his race has been compromised by his lower grid position.

"We could not have achieved pole today as we could not do the times the guys up front were doing, but I could most likely have been able to do the time I was doing earlier in qualifying and start the race from a bit a better position. I now have to take it how it is and make the attack in the race tomorrow that I could not do today."

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