• British Grand Prix - Qualifying

Schumacher blames 13th on timing

Michael Schumacher failed to get through Q2 with a last-ditch lap © Sutton Images

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• Race:
• British Grand Prix

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• Drivers:
• Nico Rosberg
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• Michael Schumacher

• Teams:
• Mercedes

Michael Schumacher says he missed out on a place in the final qualifying session because he was on track too early in Q2, leaving him 13th for the British Grand Prix.

Mercedes had looked competitive all weekend with Schumacher and Nico Rosberg both finishing a practice session each in second place. However, Schumacher was left with a last ditch lap in the second part of qualifying to try and progress, and he was unable to find the time, missing out by just 0.1s. Schumacher said the disappointing result was down to being on used tyres when the track was at its best.

"Qualifying did not go totally right today but I am not frustrated as I know the reason why," Schumacher said. "Owing to the uncertain weather situation, and in order to not risk driving in the rain, we went out rather early, which simply turned out to be too early. On my last lap, the tyres were unfortunately already gone and, especially in turn six, I suffered understeer which cost me the time to make it into the top ten.

"It did not have anything to do with the gearbox issue we experienced this morning. Let's see what can be possible now coming from P13 and having some fresh tyres available - maybe some rain could help."

Schumacher's team-mate Rosberg also felt that Mercedes hadn't achieved its full potential. "We have made good progress with our technical package this weekend, but P9 is not the best that we could have achieved today. At the end of Q2, I was in fifth place, but on my final lap in Q3, the track was wet in turn 15 and I just couldn't improve in that final sector. With the pace of the car, hopefully we can make up some places in the race tomorrow."

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