Adrian Sutil produced a stunning performance to claim Force India’s maiden top ten qualifying position. The local hero, revelled in the variable conditions, while other competitors struggled, to claim 7th on the grid for tomorrow’s race. The young German now hopes that the race will be ran under similiar conditions to today’s qualifying, allowing him to claim Force India’s first points.
Unfortunately Giancarlo Fisichella could not produce the same level of competitiveness as his team mate. The Italian driver blamed traffic for disrupting his final qualifying run and will start 18th on the grid.
Adrian Sutil – 7th: “I’m really happy, for sure one of F1’s happiest guys today! It’s my home race and my best qualifying position so far in F1, so it was a great qualifying for us. It was very tricky with the weather but our decisions were very good and on time, particularly in Q2 with the rain. We took a risk on the dry tyres and we did it a lap earlier than all the others and got the third fastest time. Finally, even with the fuel on board Q3 went really well and we got into seventh. I am very happy for everyone on the team. We’ve worked really hard in the last months. Now we just have to score some points!”
Giancarlo Fisichella – 18th: “First of all I am very pleased for the team and for Adrian to have had such a great qualifying. It was an incredible result and hopefully we’ll be able to have a good race tomorrow. For me it was a bit disappointing. We went out early in the first session but unfortunately I got caught in traffic on both my fastest laps. It was a real shame as with the weather conditions I think we could have done really well. But it could be mixed weather tomorrow so you never know what’s possible.”
Dominic Harlow, chief race engineer: “P7 after Q3 for Adrian was a fantastic performance and a reward for the team’s efforts recently. The weather played its part, but he secured the position on merit. It was an exciting session and I think that we got the calls right today. Giancarlo was unfortunate in that his second outing in Q1 was affected by traffic with so many cars on the circuit and with things being so tight he didn’t make the cut. Otherwise I’m sure that he too could have progressed to a strong qualifying position. Our goal of course has to be putting those first points on the board in the race.”
Dr Vijay Mallya, chairman and team principal: “Needless to say I am absolutely delighted with the team’s performance today. We came to Germany hoping to get to Q2 and we got to Q3 thanks to a superb team performance and a stunning session from Adrian. To do so on his home soil will no doubt make it extra special for him. We are now in a good position for tomorrow’s race and I hope we can finally get those much longed-for points.”
