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Sunday, March 17, 2013

Qualifying in Australia

After Q1 was delayed by 30 minutes Charlie Whiting called Qualifying off until this morning, Midnight GMT, when the cars went out on a drying track on intermediates for Q2.  The McLarens, who have been off the pace all weekend performed poorly, with Jenson pulling a couple of laps out of the bag to take 4th in Q2, with the Mercedes of Rosberg revelling in the conditions.

Eventually though, with the track producing a dry line the Red Bulls showed themselves at last. Vettel took pole, with Webber second. Hamilton 3rd, Massa 4th, Alonso 5th, Rosberg 6th, Raikkonen 7th, Grosjean 8th, di Resta 9th and Button 10th.

Button ran one lap too much and with a car that the drivers are obviously not comfortable with there was little he could do.  McLaren will be hoping for rain later on and it is expected to arrive during the race.  Will it be early enough for a car that looks like it might struggle to stay in the top 10.

Massa outqualified Alonso again, for the third race in a row and was very "positive" in the post quali interviews.

Worth noting that both Caterhams are at the back of the grid, outqualified byh both Marussia's.  Charles Pic failed to make the 107% time due to the torrential conditions of Q1 versus the drying track in Q3.