• Indian Grand Prix - Qualifying

Webber explains aborted qualifying lap

ESPN Staff
October 27, 2012 « Vettel expects tougher competition in race | It was 'impossible' to beat Vettel to pole - Hamilton »
Mark Webber qualified second in India © Sutton Images
Enlarge
Related Links

Mark Webber said he aborted his final qualifying attempt at the Indian Grand Prix after struggling to get his tyres up to temperature following a slow out lap stuck behind the McLarens.

Webber's first lap in the final session of qualifying was enough to secure second on the grid, 0.044s behind team-mate Sebastian Vettel, but he aborted his final attempt after a mistake at turn three. He explained that his tyres were not up to temperature after a slow out lap behind the McLarens.

"It was obviously a pretty tight run thing between me and Seb, and then I didn't get to do my last attempt. The McLarens do very slow out laps to get the tyres ready for the lap, which is different to us and I had no grip in the first sector so I didn't get to do my second attempt, which would have been nice. But anyway I was surprised to end up second to be honest, so I'll take that and now we can have a good race from there tomorrow."

He said his first lap was also a little bit compromised after he ran wide at the final corner.

"On the last corner I got on to the Astroturf a bit on the exit so for sure I didn't have the cleanest run to the start/finish line so that was disappointing, but I'm driving the car so I did my best and it was close."

Webber praised his team's efforts both in India and at the factory in Milton Keynes.

"The way that the factory has helped us this weekend has been incredible. Milton Keynes has really been pushing hard, even though they're not here but they are with us in terms of work ethic. Also for the teams and the guys on the floor here. Obviously it's not the easiest environment to work in, not in terms of temperature but in terms of other challenges and everyone's getting through that pretty well. So far so good, and today's job is done; tomorrow we'll wake up with a new day."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
ESPN Staff Close