It was a last-gasp qualifying lap which allowed Lewis Hamilton to pull a rabbit out of the McLaren hat and move up to a front row grid slot in Belgium on Saturday. The 2008 World Champion therefore starts alongside pole man Mark Webber and should be able to challenge the Red Bull as the race begins.
With Red Bull’s straight-line speed disadvantage having been masked by the mixed conditions in qualifying today, Hamilton – with the help of his rear wing-stalling f-duct device – is tipped to slipstream his way past Webber on Sunday’s opening lap, especially if conditions are dry.
“It was quite a tricky session through the whole of qualifying,” Lewis, whose final run was on a partially damp track whilst using Slick tyres, said in the post-session press conference.
“Turn 14 (Stavelot) was drying up but I was the first one to get there and didn't know how much to push; it was a bit of a disappointing first lap because I wasn't able to hold the time out of the (cold) tyres.
“I then got the opportunity on the second (final) lap, which was good lap apart from Turn 1 (La Source) – I lost time there because it was a little bit damp, but the rest of the track was dry and I was able to utilise the tyres and pull out the time.
“I was a tenth behind Mark and there was the potential there to be in front but to be P2 and on the front row is a good position for us.
“I’ll be aggressive but we have to be cautious at the same time; tomorrow is a different day and we don't know if it’ll rain or be dry, but we’re in a good position to get good points.”
Further post-qualifying feelings from McLaren:
Button starting on clean side of track
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