Tuesday 22 May 2012

GPUpdate

Gearbox and crash end Williams' day

18 October 2009

Having won its last Grand Prix in Brazil five years ago, the 2005 and 2006 Brazilian Grand Prix saw both Williams retire on the first lap. Although the race may have lasted for longer in 2009, the Grove outfit unfortunately suffered the same fate as Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima left the track in two very different ways.

With Rosberg having looked extremely strong during qualifying on Saturday, the German's day came to a smoky end at Interlagos as his gearbox expired. "I had a good start, making up one position off the line and then managing to stay away from the incidents ahead of me," he said of a highly dramatic first lap in Brazil.


Nakajima had also been in the wars on Saturday
Nakajima had also been in the wars on Saturday

"I was lying in third but then Kubica overtook me at the restart when the Safety Car went in. Fourth was still okay, though, because we had a strong strategy and competitive pace; it was therefore looking good until the gearbox problem - after a promising weekend, this result is a shame."

Nakajima's day, on the other hand, ended in the Subida do Lago tyre wall after a frightening and high-speed accident. "We were lucky to gain some places at the start and make progress up the field after all the incidents," the Japanese driver explained.

"It was quite difficult after the restart; I didn't manage to hold position and I was left stuck behind the cars in front. We were having a good race until the accident, so I'm disappointed it ended this way." Having touched the back of compatriot Kamui Kobayashi's Toyota, Kazuki - minus his front wing - scraped down the wall of the back straight before coming into heavy contact with the barriers.

Related

Series
  Formula 1

Personalities
  Kazuki Nakajima
  Nico Rosberg

Teams
  Williams

Other
  DTM Tickets (best price guarantee!) at Sportstadium.com

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