The Belgian Grand Prix - Qualifying Formula 1

COMMENTATOR: It is tailor made for the Ferraris. This is the first

start for a Grand Prix I have seen. Button is caught up, as well as

Lewis Hamilton. Michael Schumacher It is the most impressive track

that we have around here. Long, quick, wet. It is massively fast.

Absolute classic race track. One of the best venues to take a Formula

One car to. We like being on the edge. If you make a mistake, you're

going to hurt yourself. They go through flat out. There is always

that challenge whether you can do As ever there is always a cloud,

even when the sky is blue. The wait is almost over for Lewis Hamilton

the -- and the rest. Welcome to place that is famous for his water.

The big worry is water of the rain variety. We have had an incredibly

wet weekend. And two men know about wet weekends in Spa. They have made

them work to their advantage and disadvantage over the years. Your

greatest ever weekend in the rain here, you haven't forgotten about

it? I don't think you can. You keep showing it. It was simply amazing.

Because you know it is difficult to put across the excitement and the

feeling that you have got at this moment. These are very scary days

in a romantic way. Eddie does sometimes still talk about the past.

This is how he made hids way -- his way to the car. A snazy dresser and

a snazy dancer. He was like a leprechaun. But the reason why

Eddie took that win, you took out Michael Schumacher. Very kind of

you. I didn't take him out. It makes it sound as if it was

deliberate. It was as a result of the fact he was coming up to lap me

and I had slowed, because I have given the information. Because of

the heat in the battle between McLaren and Ferrari, he thought it

was deliberate. His words can't be repeated. I felt secure, because I

had my crash helmet on. But well done to Michael Schumacher. This

weekend 20 years in Formula One. He said that losingly temper with you

was the low point of his career. That is nice. I'm surprised given

some of the other incidents he has been involved in. But it was the

fact that he pub luck -- publicly showed his emotions. Well we have

had a lovely break. What did you do to fill your time? I did some

sailing. Did a bit of nothing. Just cruising. I did an interesting in

Rotterdam, I did st city ray -- did the city racing exhibition. Did you

get up to much? Not a lot! Yeah In my ways it is straight forward.

You will be watching the road. off the throttle when I'm going

down? Yes. Off the throttle when you're going down. I'm getting the

feel for that. Brake a pit. You can definitely. Unbelievable. Eddie

goes to Rotterdam, I go to Suffolk. David teaches Tom Cruise thousand

drive a Formula One car. How did that -- how to drive a Formula One

car. How did that come about. like to pretend he was a friend,

but that was the first time I met him. He would have laughed at your

dance when you won. He may have auditioned for for -- me for a part.

We could do a due owe. He is a big fan of motor sport. When he was

given the chance to drive the car, he has done an endurance race

before.? You were there to celebrate the fact that Texas --

You were out there to celeb brait the fact that Texas is coming on

board. Yes we got it wrong the last time, but Austin is a state of the

art track. A lot of elevation change and it is a very, it has a

European feel. It is a young town and they will embrace Formula One.

The guy there is are proud of the circuit. But regardless of what

they do, we would all agree when it couples to circuits, they don't

We may have put the umbrellas away, but don't be fooled, it once rained

European Grand Prix in June. Snue But he is still dominant in the

Championship and it will be a brave man who would call anyone to beat

him. As far as the rest of the season goes, the worry for most of

the drivers is they they can start catching Sebastian Vettel, he does

not need to win any more. He could still be champion. Well yes, but

the guys that are battling him for the Championship, the only one that

hasn't won a Championship is Mark Webber. The others have peace of

mind of knowing they have won it already. But the real, the building

blocks of the Championship have been done in the early part of

season and it will be difficult to beat Sebastian Vettel. But not

impossible. Not if they keep on winning. I will leave you walk over

here. The aim of the game is to pick up the wins. We haven't had

any racing for a few weeks, but at least we stilled that memories that

this guy in this car gave us, Jenson Button with an incredible

win the last time out. Comment comen who can get some traction

from -- COMMENTATOR: Who can get some traction from those tyres.

Button is holding third place. Lewis Hamilton takes the lead as

Sebastian Vettel can find no grip on that tyre. That is Massa. Into

the tyres. Button takes over second place. Nick hide felt caught fire.

Michael Schumacher has spun it. Around she goes. Oh di Resta has to

drive off the track to avoid hims - - hitting him. Button takes the

lead again. Now Lewis Hamilton is back in the lead. There is a

handbrake turn, followed by a three-point turn. Lewis Hamilton,

the intermediates going on. Fernando Alonso has breezed past

Lewis Hamilton. He has got to pit for tyres. That will have cost

Lewis the race. Lewis Hamilton is going to do his drive through.

Lewis Hamilton is going to take the place from Mark Webberer. -- Webber.

Button wins the Hungarian Grand Prix. How much would Jenson Button

love this race to be as impressive? Let's talk about McLaren. They

haven't got three wins in a row since 2008, looking at the stat,

could you see them getting three wins in a row? Very good chance.

They have the impetus and all of the power and they have made huge

improvements to the car and changeable conditions. 23 you were

looking for a track to give you changeable conditions, which we

know these drivers excel in. only thing to add a will the of lap

is 100% throttle. So it is place where McLaren have been strong. And

they are supreme in brake. The middle sector will belong to Red

Bull. But the first and last sector, there is only one corner where you

have to brake. As much as this sport is controlled by computers,

it is nice to see a toolbox. Not that we would know what to do with

them. Now a look at the standings. It is so difficult to catch

Sebastian Vettel. We have decided to though you what the gap is, 85

points between Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber. And Red Bull dominant

and this is where the money is involved in Formula One. 383 points.

Because there has been no racing, it does not mane that not much hag

has been going on in Formula One. Ted Kravitz is here with the latest

news. TED KRAVITZ: Red Bull confirmed Mark Webber will continue

to drive for them next year. He signed a one year contract

extension for 2012, by which time he will be 36. It will be his sixth

season with the team. You have been assured everything will be the same

between you and Sebastian Vettel? Yes everything's fine. You know,

that I wouldn't... Be happy if it wasn't like that. It's all good and

that is why I have got it going again. Red Bull have lost ground in

the development race, because some new parts they fit resulted in

higher tyre wear. But Sebastian Vettel say there is is no need to

panic. I think we have learned from previous races. Understood, we

thought, we think that we have understood a lot. We will see this

weekend how much. McLaren come here on a hat trick. Lewis Hamilton won

in skraermy, Jenson Button in Hungary and here the team have a

new DRS. That is possible. We're not the only people with uptkwraids.

-- upgrades. It will make our car quicker. Red Bull and Ferrari will

still be quick. It is going to be fun. We're there or thereabouts. We

have a good shot. The others I think, they will be working as hard

as us. But it will be a close battle. Ferrari will shift their

focus on what they promise will be an innovative car. In the next

couple of weeks we start thinking of nextlet year's car. But this

year's car is still very useful to keep testing things and keep

improving. Reno have replaced -- Renault have replaced their drivers.

We have a main hearing in three weeks. My position is that I have a

contract and that I want to drive. That is about it. If Bruno comes

with money from Brazil, can you understand the team doing what they

have done? No comment. It has nothing to do with a pure

commercial point of view. He is fighting for Championship and he

knows I can be competitive. With Senna and Vitaly Petrov, in terms

of the F1 starts their line up is the least experience nds Formula

One. Renault have redesigned the air bubble that exploded in the

Michael Schumacher pushes himself... I always ask, what can I improve

myself? Work can I work on myself? And I still have not lost at a

critical approach and I are still asking, am I good enough? Following

another double points finish in Budapest, Toro Rosso are going well.

It was the first car of the team this year and we have more

experience this time and we're getting better,. And if you missed

practice, Friday was wet, which caught out Bruno Senna and Paul di

Resta but this morning Mark Webber was quickest. No one has been

caught out yet because the drivers have been banned from using their

removable rear wing through the famous corner. No duress. And

denies look at the form guide. And out of nowhere, this man has ended

up in a car. Bad news for one tends to be good for someone else. Can we

have a brake -- a quick word with Bruno? When did you find out you're

in the car? It was quite late, I got a call on Wednesday evening and

I was going into the car and at first there was some expectation of

getting into the car. But that was still only last week. Everything

came together very quickly. I'm really thrilled to be in the car

I'm going for the race. describe it as like Christmas, but

Christmas does not last long and neither does the honeymoon period

in Formula One. You're in for the next two races, is that enough time

to prove yourself? At the moment, that is what I am confirmed for,

the team wants me to take these races and pending legal issues, it

should be possible. I will take it step by step. So far, it has been

going all right, apart from a small mistake on Friday, everything went

smoothly. These guys give me great support when I needed it. It's all

right. That was the baddies, the good news on Saturday was 9th

fastest? How did that feel? I have not seen the top 10 in quite a

while. Of course, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa put that together.

But mixing with those guys, being in front of Michael, that was

really good. I am looking forward to qualifying, there is still no --

so much learning to do. I am nowhere near 100% but I know I can

do it. It's great to see your name back in the black and gold. Good

luck. And a chat to divot and Eddie, he seemed quite calm I'm looking

quite serene. I'm sure the nerves will creep up slowly? -- I will

chat to David. Why is he suddenly good enough now? It was a test on a

Friday running in Budapest. His lap times have been consistent and

physically this is one of the more challenging circuits and that is

the reason they have the confidence. People might be a little bit

sceptical. Is this team in a bit of a model? I love that analogy, David.

I am confused and perplexed about this team, then made bad mistakes

by allowing Kubica to do the rallying in the first place and

their senior management have gone downhill steadily. They need to get

a grip of this quickly. This was a World Championship team at one

stage and they are a shadow of their former self. That is Eddie

Jordan's thoughts, let's go down the pit lane and get away from this

noise. Let's have a look at some of the teams that have not quite shown

the speeds of Renault's so far this season and starting at the back. 11

races down, he deserves the gold star? Who should get detention and

he needs a new school uniform? It's and he churchy and Virgin together.

No chance of catching them at mid level at this performance. Grid C.

HRT. No longer back of the class, new orders and plenty of homework

to be done. Grid C minus. Virgin, reliability has improved. But their

performance has not. And a new tactical team is in place and they

the moment and let's focus on Lotus. We know they have taken at the

Renault engine and have brought the Red Bull back in and have not been

short of paying money with two experienced drivers, but you cannot

buy speed quickly here? You can take the engine and gearbox and the

mechanical geometry, looking at the other cars, but you need the

aerodynamic package and that is something that they need to invest

money end and it's getting the right wind tunnels and getting the

right amount of time. And in your very first season in Formula One,

you have seven. Finishes and that was back when the top six picked up

the points so what has changed in the way Formula One works that has

made it difficult for teams like Lotus? It is reliability, it has

been the poorest of all the teams, they have shown flashes of genius

every now and then but not enough and for me, in their second year,

they really need to start pushing midfield and try to get into the

top 10 and at the moment it isn't there. I do not know what they need

to do but David is right, the timing is always with the

aerodynamics. We can see if they can make it into the second part of

qualifying but for the first time in over 20 years, the crowd is

saying, how will the Belgian driver get on? It is a big day for Jerome

d'Ambrosio. In Belgium, since I was a kid, it was just impossible to

make it into form and won. I just fought my own way up through the

latter and now I am here and the fans appreciate that. I am not

going to win the Grand Prix at home but and will try my best. People

are coming to appreciate the fact that there is a Belgian man on the

grid. What would be a successful weekend? There are no miracles. If

I can do a good qualifying as close as I can and fined the maximum

potential of the car, this is what I need to do. Finish the race in a

good position, maybe if I can have another 14 or 20, that would be

fantastic and the weather conditions must be strange for that

to happen. That is what we need to move up the great but finishing the

race, being close to the car's potential, that is what I need.

finished 14th twice this year. The Canada weekend was big, from

Saturday, highs and lows and lots of the motions. People ask me about

my best moment and I say it was racing in Canada, and the worst was

qualifying in Canada, I crashed on Friday. Qualifying on Saturday was

different. D'Ambrosio is outside the percentage rule. It was a

fantastic race on Sunday, it was crazy, I wasn't a good position, to

laps after the Red Flag and the restart I was p 12. I had no idea,

I came back. I came into the front and it was like that for the whole

race. Very exciting and a great moment. You have been matching your

team-mate pretty well throughout the season, something to be proud

of. What do you think the benchmark is? It is to stay with my team-mate

and because we had different cars, the best person you can reference

in terms of her performance is your team-mate. And I am lucky enough to

have a team-mate like Timo Glock, he has a lot of experience but just

try to reach 10 and learn from hen, that is something that is a chance

that I love. A handbrake turn and a three-point turn... Tell us about

that Spain in the pit lane? It made a lot of hits on the website and

Youtube. That is something from it! These things happen. You cannot

stay too much on these things. many drivers say that's by is a

favourite circuit, and this is your home grand prix. On the one side,

he had the chance that it is probably the best track in the

world from the driver's point of view, it's just fantastic to drive

round. And for me, the second point is it's my own grand prix. So

coming here is just a great moment. It's a great weekend and I will

have to stick to my job and stay focused and everything but I will

enjoy every bit of the weekend. Final preparations being made to

the Virgin car, it's a big weekend for the man and that cockpit and

this is what the teams assemble and seconds ago, Rhian expected between

1:55pm and 2pm. 24 minutes or less. We have talked about the teams at

the very back, that is where Virgin are. But what about the teams in

the midfield, fighting tooth and nail to finish 5th or 6th in this

note, greatly missed. The financial position is of grave concern.

Evidenced by recent driver changes. C- Sauber, Rock Steady, the school

of hard knocks, pushing this exciting but experienced team-mate.

Force India, Ricky of the season in Paul di Resta. Together with Adrian

Sutil, a force to be reckoned with. Toro Rosso, how very shaky start.

But they have knuckled down. Alguersuari, once threatened with

the sack, soon told his socks up. Williams, their worst season ever.

Free-falling and no obvious signs of any immediate recovery. An epic

smile on his face after the last couple of results. And particularly

in 2009, that must put a smile on your face? That was like a dream

come true. We never expected that, it was a huge surprise. Hoping we

can repeat that some time. Let's talk about the season because it

has been strange, five races were you have not picked up any point

and for a team of your size isn't good enough but in the past two

races you have scored more than anybody, apart from the three big

teams, so how do you assess what you have achieved? At the beginning

of the season I said that the first few races were an extension of the

development, we did not quite get that right over the winter. And you

are confident that once we came to Europe, we would start showing some

real performance. We have made Q 3 in the last four races and we had

scored a lot of points in the last couple of races, finishing just

behind the top three. That shows that we're going the right

direction. Not being English, but all the English eyes and his team

want to know what is happening to your cricket team but you'll not

get into that! How much do you put down to Paul di Resta, we love what

he is doing, has he brought everyone together? Paul is a

wonderful guy, a very talented driver. He gets along superbly with

everyone in the team. We have a lot of respect for him and his talent.

He is a wonderful addition. So is Nico Hulkenberg. Wonderful guys,

both of them. They give us a lot of feedback and we have been assisted

with Adrian in the development of the car. What do you need to change

in the team to take that next step? You say you have made changes from

the winter to getting back to Europe, but for next year, you must

want to move the team forward, is that personnel or budget? We are

very proud of the fact that on a small budget, we are punching well

above our weight. I do not believe that money alone can buy

performance. I think we have a dedicated steam -- team of

engineers, more on the track and back, Silverstone. The entire crew

is passionate about getting Force India ahead. And we have succeeded

in motivating them and getting The Passion up and clearly it is paying

luck chasing that sixth place. only sixth? Potential champions

this year. Well maybe next year. Now let's talk about the teams at

the front. We have the usual favourite, along with the new swot.

# We don't need no education! # We don't need no thought control #

Bull, Sebastian Vettel, a text book start. Following on from his

Championship win last year. He is still dominating qualifying,

however has been outfoxed in recent races. Mark Webber, never out of

the top five this season, but just can't get there on these Pirellis.

A my news -- A minus. McLaren, two wins each for the Brits, Jenson

Button simply amazing in changeable conditions. Lewis Hamilton the

perennial charger. Taking the pain and the tkphrory in equal

proportions. But -- glory in equal proportions, but the car has been

out of sorts. B. Ferrari, slow out of the blocks, but have turned it

around. Fernando Alonso's win at Silverstone and Felipe Massa upping

his game has given Ferrari a B and the most improved team of the

season to date. Mercedes, treading water. No real evidence of any

improvements. They must do better to remain in fourth place. D. We're

joined by two team principals, Martin Whitmarsh and Christian

Horner. Let's squeeze up. It is loud. Mark Webber has extended his

contract. Did you have to have something in writing that there is

equal footing in the team between him and Sebastian. I think you said

it would be treated equally in the team. Well hey -- he he has been.

It was an easy decision to reach. We're Delighted he will be with us.

What has he got a better sun tan than you? And the question to you,

tell us, you have won three races last two, you make it three in a

row? I wish we had run three races in the last two, but I think we

have won two in the last two. you for catching me out. We would

like to make it three in a row, but these guys look strong. I don't

think there is any point in giving predictions. Anything can happen in

the race. It is a fantastic circuit. These guys are pushing hard and

they have got a great lead. We're going to try and win as many races

as we can. They won't make it easy for us. I heard you earlier talking

to Stefano Domenicali, it seemed like a love in, what has gone wrong,

the team principals seem to be getting along. There is a better

class of people in Formula One now. I'm on your case now. Any time you

have seen me nice about McLarch, it is over. You have never been nice

about McLaren. Now it does seem like both Ferrari and McLaren have

caught you guys up, is that because your car is so good the changes you

can make are marginal and they have bigger leaps to make? That is

deSeptemberive. If you go back to Melbourne, we have had close

company from McLaren or Ferrari at every race. But we have taken our

opportunities. And managed to deliver upon that. We're now at a

stage where the teams have converged and you have got five or

six drivers that come to each Grand Prix with a genuine chance of being

able to win. How are you motivating your team to believe they can still

win? Well, as a mat me tigs, until it is impossible you believe it.

But we're trying to win races, we can't control what a good job Red

Bull are doing. But if we can win races that, -- that is great. But

there is a fearsome lead. But we haven't given up. You have had by

your own standards a miserable return for points in this circuit.

What will you do to change that? have only finished second here the

last two years. By your own standards I'm talking about. Yes it

is a track that doesn't play to our key strengths, it is horse power

the dependent in sectors one and three. We're determined to break

our duck here. Mark got the pole here last year. Both drivers are

fired up. They have come back from a good break and motivated to get a

big result. We know you're motivated, what is the pace telling

us, what is your strategy? They have got a small wing, so we have

put a small wing on. I hope we both have got it right. But I can't tell.

I mean, we have had a break. People have put some new parts on. You

will see a lot going on to the car, to people like me who don't

understand, they clearly new parts. In the running we have had so far,

you would say that Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren look strong. But I

wouldn't be able to call it. I don't think necessarily qualifying

conditions, we're in a pit of sun, but I think it is likely to be damp

by the time we get qualifying. I think again it will have a bearing

on the track with the right tyre, driver doing a good job to get

through. Thank you both very much. It is lovely to see you getting on

so well. But no more cuddling in front of cameras. Well done to

Eddie on his sun tan. I think he has won the competition. It was

never in doubt! No. This man has a tan in the middle of winter. Thank

you. Now let's find out what it is like on this circuit, not just from

a man who knows what it takes to win here, but a guy who had one of

his best finishes, Adrian Sutil, who went for a walk with David.

DAVID COULTHARD: Hello racing driver. We stopped in the middle of

Eau Rouge, can you talk through the experience of going through this

amazing rise, the elevation change is huge. It is blind at the top.

Yes, it is my favourite corner. It's quite easy flat, but it is

challenging for some reason. It is the best rollercoaster. You feel

the G-force and the compression down there. It gets so light over

the top. You are facing up to the sky. You don't see. It is just a

man corner I always say. It is impressive. When you get down the

light you will be in the car. You don't see at all. How do you

reference where the position the car? It I about how long you hold

the apex? Yes. Just try to always hold the apex on a consistent way

and you know where to go. For you, this is the best corner in Formula

One? I would say, yes. We have stopped at turn 8. This isn't

actual think track. This is the run off area. The track is over there.

Why would they have covered this over? It is not a dangerous corner.

Yes it is not a dangerous corner and it has, there is not even

carpet here, where you probably get a bit of penalty. Here you just can

run wide. It was tricky, a tricky corner to brake. Sometimes when you

had a look up, you went wide and lost grip. This is where Lewis

Hamilton ran wide and touched the barrier. Yes I think it was last

two or three laps it started to rain and he was still there. Lewis

Hamilton is in the gravel. We have stopped here in the middle of ten

and 11. A fantastic corner. remember when it was wet, I was

cautious with this kerb, they were really sliply ry. It look,, yes --

slippery, it looks, yes anti-slip paint. He is on his bike, 60

kilometres an hour. You seem to be a historian in Formula One. You

liked it when there was no gravel run off. You like the thrill of the

roller coster -- rollercoaster ride. Before racing, I wanted to be a

stunt man. Now, I'm a stunt man or an actor. Now I'm probably both. I

have to be both in certain ways. But I like this one. You were a kid

throwing yourself off a garage roof to see your mother. With the

umbrella, I jumped down like a parachute. This a more Benny Hill

than Hollywood. Stunt man, actor, Formula One driver, we wsh you well

for the weekend and thank you for your time. JAKE HUMPHREY: Eight

minutes to the start. That is Eau Rouge to see a cargo through there

is incredible. You said the reason why the prince Pams are friendly,

they are not the team owners as they were? They're professional

guys and Chief Executives. They're responsible for the team. But they

haven't got their own money necessarily in there. When, in the

olden days and it was your responsibility and you had to plead

to the bank and the investors and make sure you budget was correct.

They don't have to do that. They have to administer it in a proper

way. That is why they were more grumpy in Eddie's day. The rain is

starting to come down. Things can change here in an instant. This is

what was happening earlier. It was 10 wet, the guise hardly did any

running. In the first two sessions, there was 50 minutes of dry running

and nothing today. So if it is dry, it will be a stab in the unknown.

It also is unbelievable for the viewers and the people here,

because it give there is a sense of excitement, no one has a clue what

is going to happen. Ross Brawn from Mercedes, would love to help

Michael Schumacher relive the glory around here. Michael has won six

times here. We are hearing it is going to be raining, but it could

be dry tomorrow. Could you afford to sacrifice today and take a

gamble to get good race pace tomorrow? This is a track where it

is a biggest differential between best lap time in the wet and in the

dry. So it is a question of whether you compromise or whether you

commit one way or the other. I think for us, it is commit to a dry

race, because qualifying these days doesn't seem as critical as it used

to be. With the drag reduction system you can overtake here. I

think now our tendency will be to go towards the dry set up. The lap,

the sector time in the middle sector is so down force dependent

and there can be one or two second difference between high and low

down force. So I think we could see some surprises today. Have a great

race. Thank you. It sounds like Ross is setting us up for a great

sessionment very brave, with these conditions to go on a dry set up

for race? What he is saying, he knows most of the others are

listening to this programme. And that is a decoy trick. I think he

will split them and put one on a sleightly higher down force. He is

a wiley old character. He won't give anything away on our show.

they can take a Rhys fbg they want to. -- risk if nay want to. Mark

Webber has resigned to Red Bull. Are you surprised that Mark Webber

has stayed? I did, I think he was already guns blazing a couple of

races ago. They have changed his attitude, it has mellowed you can

sigh see why the decision has been made. The drivers are making their

One is back in action after the summer brake and we have just the

right challenge to see who's brain is in gear. Spa. It's a small name

but a great race track and a challenge. Four and a third miles,

19 adventures for each lap and corner isn't a good enough word for

this race track. The three sectors we normally have but in the first

and third, they're very much about full throttle action, 80% of the

first is absolutely flat out, and the middle part of the lap, in red,

is for all of the downforce is needed. It is very much a track of

two parts in that respect. The first race scheduled at this track

was in 1921, and was cancelled because of only one car entering.

And the lead has been changed, it was nine miles back then, just over

four miles now. And the last layout change was in 2007. And David and

myself have both missed on this track. One thing that has not

changed as we can see from the helicopter is the weather.

Qualifying on a wet track with very little preparation, the free

practice has also been out. It doesn't get much tougher than that.

It is a challenge, it's fairly unique here, you come praying for

the dry run just for the experience of this, it's incredible roller-

coaster. And there are a few moments when you do get to drive in

the try and that is just fantastic. Another Belgian Grand Prix

qualifying and wet weather. Certainly a wet track and its

forecast to rain again at any time now. What would you do now? Talking

about tomorrow and the set up, whatever they trundle out of the

pit lane with, that is what they are locked into for the race

tomorrow. In almost every aspect of the race car. What were due to

begin at -- what would you be doing? If there was a climactic

change, brake ducts and things like that and there can adjust the front

wing and the differential engine maps but everything else, the main

base of that set up for qualifying is fixed so the real issue is the

wing, how much downforce? 80% of the entire lap is at full throttle

and in the dry running it is a devotee of the West --

significantly less when wet. But you only have to brake once in each

of the sector's so in a situation when running the correct wing level

from wet, if a strike tomorrow in the race, you would be a sitting

duck. I would go with the dry set up! So what will be slippery out

there. We must assume that everybody will take to the track as

soon as a green light comes on a the end of the pit lane for the

first part of qualifying, which has 20 minutes. Hindsight can be

wonderful but on the basis of everything, anybody who isn't on

the track, they will be mad because they can get downpours which don't

even show on the radar. So any time in the next 1.5 minutes, people

will be going down to the pit lane. My son amazing shop this morning

were Fernando Alonso in just a regular team here was standing at

the back and watching the action, no work even near the car. -- we

watched an amazing shot this morning. So confident. And the fact

that they are so restricted on the tyres, four sets of intermediate

and three wet. They were actually given an additional set

intermediate yesterday because of the weather, which is within

regulations. And reconstruct the session. They will be sitting at

the end of the put in for over one minute, they're so keen to be at

the front of the queue. It does have an impact, it is so long, in

terms of higher you run the session and getting that first lap? Before

they even think about getting the timed lap, the point at which they

can show the first lap will be more than four minutes into the session

and that is why it is crucial that the expected downpour. It is better

to leave this first group early and then we will go. I was going to say,

it looks like the pit lane is split. So, we will know in the Colin

minutes who has made the right decision. All the cars have gone

out so far on those intermediate tyres. With the blue paint on the

side of them to give us that play. They only need full wet when there

is a lot of standing water. We have a feature tomorrow explaining what

about that. And look at those rooster tails of spray. On board

with Sebastien Buemi. The rain is coming. Rain is coming. Let's go

and get the lap time in! Ted has an update. I wanted to see if anybody

has come from the pure white set up and nobody has. Toro Rosso

inherently goes very well... Oh, a big crash already. That is Michael.

Michael, with his tee helmet on. He lost the rear wheel. Because of

contact with the barrier? The recently have put this additional

tarmac run-off area. Let's wait for the replay. Some confusion on

whether that was Michael or Nico Rosberg. He has that gold helmet?

Running free, which is unusual. There is no reason why that we

should come off, off the upright. Absolutely spot-on, eagle-eyed.

gave them a little knock on the way down the hill so Michael Schumacher

says... Unexpected. Out. Even with 20 years' experience and being a

master of this track, he cannot get the job done on three wins. And we

will see that again. Luckily that did not back him on the head. This

takes the pressure off all the midfield team, doesn't it? We know

immediately who will join the expected tail-end as the first man

to drop out of qualifying. Not the way Michael would like to have

celebrated 20 years since his grand prix debut. It's very unusual how

that could have come off because there is retaining 10. We did that

feature on McLaren with a pit stop. The pain should keep the not in

place. Even if it is loose. -- the nut. The mechanics are discussing

this but they are unique in that they have... INAUDIBLE. Mercedes

are unique, they have this mass car system were the wheel nut is

embedded into the We'll itself. We will see if it was the Spindle or

the axle. Rubens Barrichello, they have finished changing his car,

after a set-up change. So, lots of action at their but nobody has

completed a flying lap. I think the end of that message was to an

extent, that takes the pressure off. But you cannot guarantee it will be

82, Lotus and version on a day like this. Most likely to drop out

because you need the downforce and the grip. -- Virgin. It does take

the pressure off the main midfield. But the pressure is still on the

drivers to try the clean-up. They do have the grip painted onto these

Kers. But we have seen a number of cars just touching the white line.

And losing control. It is fast- flowing, as we said earlier, the

average land-speed is 240 kilometres an hour. -- lap speed.

It is still a massive average speed around the slap. Tricky conditions.

It is. A wedding was over the line. This morning, it was 208.9. And

that no were needed the slick tyres. Our destination was needed to get

some were mere two minutes per lap before the start gambling on slick.

It's about getting a laps in. That is what it could work out with

drivers to get the better track conditions. The track temperature

has been coming up steadily since the rain stopped this morning but

that was completely dry on the end of the sauce, telling with that

little bit of white but contrast to the top of the hill, conditions are

a lot wetter. No DRS, no rear wings being opened, it has been dissected

rated -- deactivated in the wet running. On previous experience

this year, it should be quite soon? Looking at how quickly the track is

drying up. Kovaleinen has been off the track at turn No. 12, the

middle of the track. And continued. No yellow flag out for that. How

does it look? Hamilton from Alonso, Felipe Massa and then Sebastien

Buemi. And Jensen Button then, he has done 2.12. He is in eighth

place at the moment. We're just looking for a he 18th place through

to 24th on the grid in this session. We expect four laps before the rain

coming. So, and opted for a Nico Rosberg with that window of

opportunity on these intermediate tyres. Michael Schumacher will

start last on the grid. Petrov does not have any time yet but he is

about it. That confirms that Schumacher will be the only driver

of the 24 not to complete his flying lap which puts him on the

back of the grid. Bruno Senna in 4th place, standing in for Nick

Heidfeld this weekend. He will get into that on the race show tomorrow

when there is breathing space because this is just going to keep

tumbling in terms of the times as the track constantly tries out and

comes towards those intermediate tyres. It would be too long before

we start to see them trying to cool those, even, such is the rate of

change. Rosberg now in 5th place. Sebastian Vettel is fast as, Paul

di Resta his second. Fastest now for Mark Webber. For the last five

consecutive races, the man who was not at first, 18th on the great,

has gone on to score World Championship points on the Sunday.

It is a lucky position and that tells you about the Pirelli tyres

and the DRS and the rear wing and the energy recovery system. How

much of a difference that has meant. Before, 18th place would have meant

you were lucky to finish and 12. But it's like a lucky dip,

everybody gets. These days, top 10, anyway. You only got points for the

top six in my day. That was in another era. Mark Webber remains

fastest, for Sebastian Vettel, Adrian Sutil in 5th place and Force

India in third and 4th, looking very handy on the damp track this

morning. 23 cars on the track, that is all the runners. They're all out

there, try to use this opportunity, Jensen Button in that 17th at the

moment, he needs to get this one together before that promised rain

comes. We expect this session to get trier and drier, we are to be

on this by the end of the session. That highlights just how difficult

it is to know where you are. Five minutes before the rain. You have

got conflicting information coming from the engineers to the drivers.

So difficult year. Some of the information coming from the radar

and some of that is spotters, out in the forests and they will say,

my head is getting wet, there is rain. As a driver, this track drops

100 metres from the top to the bottom, interestingly, I never knew

that fact until I read that yesterday. 1% more power in the

bottom of the track because it is there were attitude and more air

pressure. It still contributes to the speed. He would rather have

weather coming better than anybody else as you're climbing up to Les

Combs. Ted? TED KRAVITZ: the weather is coming in from your left.

It does look threatening the clouds coming in. But I went into Mercedes

and asked whether they know whether it was finger trouble or wheat nut

failure, they say they need the to -- wheel nut failure. They say they

need to get the car back to check it. It looks like they have said

yes, they can rule out finger trouble. The clouds are forming

above the track now. And it looks as if the weather teams disagree on

the time of the next shower. It look like it is on the way. That is

the double left as they call it on some track maps, Pouhon as we know

it. Mark Webber has had a personal best. After this corner it is a

minute in these conditions, well make that 49.5 seconds, now he has

found more grip. Mark Webber is the birthday boy today and they have

announced a new contract for 2012. That was a no-brainer, why would

you split up that partnership? There is no sense, there is no

question that you want to to have the best drivers you can in your

car and the relationship between Mark and Sebastian Vettel may not

all have been harmonious, but they have driven the team forward. For

Mark it is his best opportunity. And he goes fastest, two seconds

quicker than Sebastian Vettel was. But Lewis Hamilton beats that with

a 2n't be 0.26789 Sebastian Vettel was a couple of seconds slower. Who

else is delivering decent times. We have seven and a half mince

remaining of this session. Michael Schumacher will be out and that

will be we think his worst grid position in his career. With a 24th.

Vitantonio Liuzzi will be 22nd. Jerome D'Ambrosio is in 20th. They

haven't got in, within the 107% time at the moment. Petrov 18th at

the moment. Perez 19th. They're both on better laps. So under

pressure those drivers. Lewis Hamilton has gone even faster in

the first sector. But Jenson Button was told, hey, we may need these

tyre again, don't push them too hard. Just clear the bar. But Lewis

Hamilton is going for it. That information that Jenson Button has

been given would have been from his engineer. Maybe that is the, you

know the unique perspective his engineer has and that is not shared

by Lewis's. But if Lewis Hamilton has been told he may need these

tyre later, this won't help the life. It has gone purple and Button

has gone fastest. He has not gone purple, but has delivered the most

consistent lap time. We were talk about how he was told they may need

the tyres. They have been give an - - given an extra set of

intermediates. So they are still using up that first set. I did see

some, Sebastian Vettel unwrapped a set of new once didn't he? Lewis

Hamilton goes fastest on a 2.03. You won't feel confident to just

sit in the pits and watch these times tumble, whoever you are.

real question is how much fuel have they in the car. The lap times

could topple quickly. Dry running around here of course you would

expect them to be down in the sort of mid to high 40s. We're not going

to see this in this part, but it show how much space there is in

terms of lap time improvement. The track now is almost dry.? TED

KRAVITZ: Force India has sent their drive us out on new tyres. They

think they will get a better performance from the new tyres.

Paul di Resta is close to the drop zone. Sutil has pitted and he is in

the top 10. But they're feel their intermediate tyres are worn out.

DAVID COULTHARD: The only reason I can imagine in these drying

conditions they would get more out of a new set is if thr there was

draining. - there was graining. It seems b -- it seems to be car

dependent. They found they get such an advantage from a new set of wet

tyres, whether it is the full wet or the intermediate. So they have

been saving their tyres. rethinking Jenson Button's message,

the message was you will need the tyre at the end of this session. So

coast a bit and then pump in some lap times. So Jenson Button loves

these tricky conditions. He seems to see and feel grip that the

others can't find. It is a confidence that he has. Immediately

then we are seeing drivers trying to cool their intermediate tyres

down to have a run towards the end. And how much fuel did they put in,

how long did they think they will have to keep running. The last

place man's Michael Schumacher's wheel fell off before he could show

what he is made of. Fernando Alonso has pitted. He has decided he has

had enough track time. And he has got enough time in his pocket.

Massa is in as well. Sutil's gone out. Ferrari with a two minute

outlap. We don't have too many second chances to get around before

the flag drops. Ferrari have given up on that. Felipe Massa down in

11th that is a bit bold. I wouldn't be comfortable to have only a

couple of seconds to play with to the drop zone. But lap times could

drop as we see continually up until the end of session. He is down to

12th now. Sebastien Buemi ignores the main part of the corner and

here comes the rain. So that might just save the day for Felipe Massa.

Although if the intermediates overheat, you can still bring them

back. What was that noise? He was so far off the throttle, he was

getting the exhaust going? Yes. It is a perfect example of what it

sound like. You see Nico Rosberg having to be aggressive into the

last chicane. Outside of the Virgin. Here is, that Jerome D'Ambrosio?

Yes just overcooks it on the way in. He is down in 15th. That is a

replay, he is now on a better lap is Nico Rosberg. He has gone up

into P8 on a 2.05. Felipe Massa is down to 13th with that. As we see

Sutil has just gone through and we're looking at Perez. Paul di

Resta down in the danger zone in 17th. He is on track with two

personal bests going on. So Sutil has gone over the line. We watch

for Paul di Resta. There is the Lotus going through of Jarno Trulli

who is 19th at the moment. And here comes rest rest on the fresh

intermediates. And -- Paul deResta on the fresh intermediates. He has

got another lap to get himself out of the danger zone. Thiss why he

was slow in the last secondor. -- this is why he was so slow in the

last sector. It will come down to this final lap that he is on. He is

down in 17th and close to the drop zone. Who would put him in trouble?

Heikki Kovalinan is right behind him time-wise. Paul di Resta has

had a poor first sector. Here is Heikki Kovalinan. He is not any

faster. Ses a second slower. Di Resta may just get awhich with this

one. All the times will be reset in qualifying two. The track is

looking particularly slimey. Often it is at that stage that it I

difficult. Heikki Kovalinan is running wide in that Rivage corner.

He would have lost some time. He got on to the the -- on to the

advertising hoarding that isn't painted with the special paint. The

checkered flag has gone out. All those on their lap. This will be it.

We're still waiting for Paul di Resta. He is going to go to get

through. Tyres are getting too hot. The drivers aren't finding a lot of

time now. Adrian Sutil has done a best middle sector. Heikki

Kovalinan's put in a 58.0 in the middle sector. That is actually

only four tenth slower than the fastest middle sector. So Paul di

Resta maybe out of trouble. He Daid 35.5 first sector. It is all about

Heikki Kovalinan and that looks like he is getting plebt of --

plenty of traffic at the end. That could be Paul di Resta in his way.

Heikki Kovalinan does it! Paul di Resta is down to 18th. Heikki

Kovalinan up to 16th. Not watched by the director. So Heikki

Kovalinan, despite the traffic, because you can complete the lap,

he was one of the last to cross the line and he gets himself into Q2

again. And Paul di Resta will be swhra gutted. I don't know if they

-- somewhat gutted. I don't know if they told him to back off but he

takes no further part in qualifying. This man, Michael Schumacher will

take no further part in qualifying. Bruno Senna has been been faster

than Vitaly Petrov through this sex. Only by a quarter of a -- through

this session, but only by a quarter o' after second. That is the

feedback from his run in Budapest on Friday. He was seen to be

consistently quicker than Petrov in the long runs. So maybe it is not

such a questionable decision to have put him in there against the

more experienced Nick Heidfeld. Jenson Button was fastest. He was

the man that found the grip by over a second from Mark Webber. Lewis

Hamilton was third. We reset the times and 17 go forward into

qualifying two. JAKE HUMPHREY: That includes cove, a good day for Lotus.

We have found somewhere to stay out of the rain. They have a big tent

here and hopefully the only Belgian driver in the field, the first

since the 90s, Damilola Taylor -- Jerome D'Ambrosio will come out and

have a talk with us. Michael Schumacher, do you they car failure

was responsible. It is a strange one? It is bizarre. It seemed as

if... Don't want to say it, a wheel was loose. Look here, it just in

the middle of the straight, bizarre. We would like to hear from him of

course. But not how you want to start. It is his anniversary, 20

years ago it was. I was surprised. We need to know more about it.

people are worried about the wheel comes off. If the wheel nut comes

off, there is no tether. He was lucky it bounced off. But so

frustrating. We want him to do something specialy time it feels

like it would be the perfect weekend to do it, it doesn't happen.

People have different views about Michael Schumacher. He was the king

when racing at one stage was a bit more boring, because he dominated

so much. That is not his fault. We would all like to see him have a

fight for podium here at this, because it would be a fairy tale

story. It is something that most people, whether you're a fan of his

or not. You would have wanted to see him. That is not going to

happen. Let's speak to Jerome D'Ambrosio. What was it like? As a

Belgian driver at your home race? It is always a tough call, you are

looking as much at the sky as the track, to know if it is going to

rain or not. We had different strategies, I was specting --

specting the rain earlier and I didn't come in for a new set of

tyres. But I think in the end I'm satisfied with the qualifying. I

had a good pace and now it is down it is the first reference, we have

the same car. The fact that you're in front of him, you were very

happy about that? I was in the beginning but in the end with those

new tyres, he is ahead of me. But it is good, if you are ahead, you

are happy and if you are behind, you have a benchmark. And with

Michael Schumacher's slipping out, let's have a reality check,

tomorrow, you will race in the Belgian Grand Prix and will have

Michael Schumacher all over the back of your car. Who would have

thought that? It is a dream come true? Definitely, the first grand

prix I went to see was in 1994 and he was racing, now I racing on the

same grid. It is a funny situation but I really enjoy a -- enjoying it.

Well done, congratulations. Jerome d'Ambrosio starts in 21st. If you

are a rugby fan, today is the Challenge Cup final and of the

action and build up will start on the Red Button at 1:30pm. And the

action continues after us on BBC One. It is properly reigning over

the circuit for the second part of qualifying. Inside the McLaren

garage, they have made some mistakes in wet qualifying over the

years but who will rise to the challenge? He will make it through

to the pole position shoot-out? Back to Martin and David... This

man is very happy with his qualifying. He did a great job. He

would not give up. Even after the flag had dropped. We had a session

with it being too dry for the intermediate and the next challenge

is letting it rain and see how quickly you can get the time in

before the track starts to get wet. It is like an emotion, it is so

hard to repeat the lap times and there is a window with the tyres

are perfect. It is a chemical reaction with the heat and that

does affect the grip. It isn't just the surface water. For years

Brearley have been telling me that this particular surface, it allows

the water to set into the stones and there can be a lot of spray

coming off the back but the tyre is making contact with the tarmac.

That suggests that it is relatively high grip track. But looking out,

the rain is coming down. We have seen the intermediate tyres on a

dry track and women now see this intermediate set of tyres on the

ever wetter track. By the time it gets too full wet, they will

struggle to replicate the lap times. Green flags waving. I never

understand that. You just be to know if there is a reason to slow

down. You don't need any reason to go faster. But do you think that

for it and a third miles, would you just Neil those intermediates? Or

have a chance on the out that? out lap, 95%, you don't want to

lose concentration and find a puddle. Then you have to get the

best lap because it might be the driest you will have the track. It

is more as a precautionary track for the race control, I usually

ignore this, I agree. Green lights. They just mean go. There are going,

anyway. It is starting to brighten up. But the teams did that know

whether the Adi part of the session would be the only part they could

actually get a good lap timer. -- early part. You might find that

some of those drivers pit at the end of this lap and then wait to

see if it does not dry out. There is quite a lot of rear knocking

going in for Alonso. And before that, loads of wheelspin. It looks

like there is no grip on the back of these intermediate tyres. He was

in 5th gear. Normally, that would be 7th year. Flat out in the dry

climb. This is an apple pricking son, usually plenty of grip through

this wonderful chicane. And then you have to be careful, this is

where Fernando Alonso crashed last year. And down to one of the most

difficult braking stones that I found in my career. Other you have

that Get Out Of Jail Free tarmac around the outside now. It is such

a tricky corner, Alonso getting those white lines. Mark Webber

describe those as like ice when they have got water on them.

hear that Ferrari are having difficulty getting this

intermediate tyres up to temperature which might explain

that excessive wheelspin. There is no benefit in spending a tyres that

amount, you're just ripping away at the surface. I thought he was

coasting along the out lap. It is probably thin on temperature. And

you can see, just burning that very slight dry line, aren't they? In

certain areas. They are starting to come back with some as braking up

from the back of the car. It looks like a pretty skinny rear wing.

Most of them have gone for that when level that is suitable for

straight-line speeds. That must make it so difficult for 7th gear

with no duress? Indeed, with DRS, you will get about 20 kilometres an

hour extra in top speed. Typically, he would just be touching that

limiter at the end of the straight. To make up for the other streets

were you're not able to run the duress. -- DRS. You really do not

want to be running at 15,500 at the end of the straight because there

would be no power for these 2.4 litre V8 engines. They feel quite

pathetic when you drop down to that we're 60,000 Wrens. -- revs.

Broadly speaking, the wing level of the top teams is pretty similar,

McLaren are running just a little bit more because they have bought a

special new super powerful DRS system with the rear wing. That

will bring more of an ankle for the downforce and that will be

reflected in Lewis Hamilton's middle sector time, which was

quicker than Sebastian Vettel. And they can use the DRS system in

qualifying and that has been pretty effective. Thank you. Still

Sebastian Vettel from Jensen Button, Hamilton in 4th. Red Bull, McLaren.

Adrian Sutil, the only surviving Force India with Paul di Resta

getting knocked out right at the end. Kovaleinen completed his lap.

Sebastien Buemi, inside the top 10. You can see some mud on the camera.

He has dropped at the top of ruche. That is a corner he lives were, he

said yesterday. -- lives for. We will get a replay to see without

damage has been done. There we go. Just over the top... He gets too

much Kerr. That little bomb, debris on the racetrack, difficult to tear

away. I wonder what they will do about that? That is the point where

you hope you would just get away with it. But he has parked. He is

completely out of harm's way, they do not need to red flag the session.

But all that debris on the racing line and the grass. It is pretty

much of the racing line. But easy to say from the comfort of the

commentary box but a little bit greedy going over the top of the

hill. I think that given her slippy these white lines are, I would not

be kissing my car on them as you go over the rise. The car actually

polls vertical one G in the drive so it's more than the weight of the

car. That's the last place I would have placed the car. They have red

flags that. Anybody he did a fastest first sector... Hamilton

has done the fastest of anybody in the whole queue to. -- Q2. Anyone

going faster after the red flags will take that penalty. Anyone on a

lap, that gets abandoned. The time gets stopped at the top of the

screen. Alonso had just gone at of the pits, he is on his out lap.

minutes and 15 seconds to go. If we had a downpour and then restarted,

they would be out on a brand new set... Intermediates, we hear from

the pit lane. What does it tell us? 20 minutes, steady rain. This is

getting quite critical. If it was to stop, they could we run the rest

of it. -- re wrong. -- rerun. 50% of your braking force in the rain

goes through the front tyre. The tyre is to be rotating to give you

that retardation. As the all recovered to the pits. You want to

be at the front of the queue, if you get a chance. The rain is still

up there. Threatening. This is a very pivotal time. Who will be out

at the moment? Also, Perez, Bruno Senna, Kobayashi, Maldonado and

Kovaleinen. But that is irrelevant, unless it rains very hard. It could

only have been for the debris. You would have to say, Adrian Sutil's

car was really out of harm's way. You are right. Honest it was a

freak accident. If there was an opening and the barrier. It did not

look like there was that much debris on the racing line. But it

is one of the fastest corners. It is probably the wise move to be on

the side of caution. There is no need for racing directors taking

any risk, and you would not have any martial running out there at

the top of the blind curve. And the tyres are so loaded at the top.

When you are pulling the speed and the natural G-force, but I don't

know. It is a red flag situation. Once again, Mark Webber quicker

than Sebastian Vettel. Bottom and Hamilton right in there for McLaren.

We are wandering were Ferrari are. They would be out, they are P11.

Alonso had just joined the track. Such a long out lap, you cannot

really hang around too long. Certainly not and we have seen the

trend this weekend were in changeable conditions, Mark Webber

has more often been able to deliver the lap time than Sebastian Vettel.

His Sebastien just holding back? He doesn't need to take any risks. Or

is he genuinely not able to feel his car round the track. There is a

long way to go. Let's keep a close eye on that. Sebastian Vettel has

never qualified in the top three at Spa. We have not had anything other

than the Red Bull on pole position all year. That is how it is looking

right now. Plenty of action to come, it must be said. It has not been

his starring role, qualifying here. It does look silly, somebody

sitting in front of the car. But it's the weight distribution with

the engine and gearbox at the back. It is quite interesting, the other

teams like to look at that and had the photographers get underneath

and look at the turning base. And everything that is going on

underneath. It has been going extremely well of late. Adrian

Sutil, still in 5th place and that time still counts. In terms of the

top-ten shoot-out, he would not be able to take part. I with Ferrari

and there is consternation on the engineers face, not because -- not

just because the tyres had been shot, they will still have good

tread but with six minutes and 53 seconds, they will have a limited

amount of time and less than they would like to get the intermediate

tyres warmed up and we know Ferrari is easy on the tyres and hard for

them to do that. We have spoken about that in this session. I do

not think Alonso is at risk of going out but it's less idea than

in 40 secs time. That is 14.41 local time in Belgium. We speak to

many different people in the world in different time zones. And the

queue begins to form at the end of the pit lane. And let's see what

they have got now. Is that a brand- new set? No, they look like they

have done a lap or two. There is water in the groove. So he is on

the same tyre. Mark Webber keen to watch thousand outlap go. There is

a whole queue of cars and there is tho point in joining the back.

can't afford to do a slow lap. We need to push for the full three

laps. No problem. The second part of qualifying begin and Bruno Senna

with a steep lerve ever learning curve this weekend. His only

experience is with HRT last year. Although the Friday practice for

Renault in Hungary. He raced here in GP2. He had a trip into the

barrier on Friday. When he raced before it was on the Bridgestone

tyres. So to learn how the treat Pirelli and handle this three

stages of qualifying. He was on pole here in GP 2. There is Adrian

Sutil, the man we saw bouncing down the barrier and causing the red

flag at the top of Raidillon. caught the back end of Adrian

Sutil's engineer saying, and Paul didn't make it. That is like the

consolation prize, the interteam battle. He didn't maibt -- make it

through. Adrian Sutil is still P5 and it remains to be seen who beats

that in the remaining five minutes. The track still looks in reasonable

nick. We have got people in front closing the door and won't let me

past. It is impossible. He is not happy, is he? No it is impossible?

Well, he is going to have to make the impossible possible with four

and a half minutes to go. We have got plenty of traffic. We have got

Senna in front of Petrov in the Renault. Not much of a gap there.

He is going to play his part. Look at the traffic in front of Fernando

Alonso as the rain comes down further. This is critical times for

Fernando Alonso. This is as tough as it gets, as I said, they will be

backing the pack up. He had such a fight with Ayrton Senna one day and

trying to find ourselves space and finished about 6 o'clock on the

qualifying afternoon. We finished argue about who got in whose way.

Fernando Alonso still doesn't want to slow down. The back wheels were

locked and he had to turn left into a right hand hairpin. The lap has

started bad. I don't think his mood will be better. Let's see how it

looks through the Mag niv sent la rouge corner. -- Eau Rouge Cohner.

Up to Les Combs. It was a a real attack. For Fernando Alonso it is a

personal best. 34.4. Still not a tremendous first sector, compared

to earlier on in this session. Having to down shift on the way out

of la koms. Let's see if he can get it slowed down for Rivage. A short

shift up to get traction through the exit. No name corner, I has

been called some things, but Pouhon is the toughest corner on the track

since they sanitised Eau Rouge. Fernando Alonso will get his second

sector time when he comes out of first part. Jaime Alguersuari is

out there. He has done two personal bests. This is about getting into

the top ten, the final part of qualifying, qualifying 3 as we call

it. But they have their minds focused on qualifying two. He has

locked the left front. He wastes so much time. Sebastien Buemi has gone

fastest. There is grip opt track and it is beginning to come to the

-- there is grip on the track. Bruno Senna goes sixth. Senna might,

I tell you wha, with another two minutes, he will get a second

effort at that. Fernando Alonso has gone fastest on a 6.1. He will just

about be last man over the line. Fernando Alonso has a couple of

minutes to get around again. Now, we're starting to lack at drivers

who have one more flying lap after this. Felipe Massa in 14th. Mark

Webber goes fastest from Button. Sebastian Vettel 2.03.3. He is all

over the place in terms of times. As they finish these long laps.

Felipe Massa, what did that do for him? Up into P5 with that. He will

only get this lap in now. Lots of cars out there in traffic. 16Th of

the runners, the on 16 left with Adrian Sutil in the warrier --

barriers. We watch Kobayashi down in 16th and moves up to seventh

with that effort. Still three seconds off the pace though.

have seen Jenson Button make way for Lewis Hamilton. So I wonder if

that was a call from the team. Lewis Hamilton is in 12th and he

has done the fastest first sector. Presuming he gets a traffic-free

lap, but Lewis Hamilton could be under trouble here. Traffic is a

problem as we can see. Heikki Kovalinan, Rubens Barrichello,

Heikki Kovalinan is down there, fighting over 16th and 17th, with

Pastor Maldonado close behind. That must have been Lewis Hamilton

coming through. He will catch a lot of traffic at the end of the lap.

And will struggle. Some of these may get into another lap. These

runners and Rubens Barrichello goes wide through Blanchmont. Both

Williams compromised with that problem. They have got six five

seconds to get over the line. Lewis Hamilton goes up the inside of

Pastor Maldonado the flag is dropped, Lewis Hamilton won't get

another run. But he moves up to fastest with that. He has his hand

in the air. It was enough at that time. Pastor Maldonado down in 16th.

Barr Parr only 149. Williams both - - Rubens Barrichello only 14th.

Williams both there. There is the contact, Lewis Hamilton had to do

it. But it has put him into the top ten. He is entitled to do that

don't you think? Yes, he is ahead. There is no question that mald hald,

I can't believe he -- Pastor Maldonado, I can't believe he

didn't know Lewis Hamilton was there. Who crossed the line?

Fernando Alonso was the last man over the line. Petrov and Senna too.

They could get themselves well inside the top ten by being last

over the line. And plenty of stuff for Senna in the Pouhon corner.

Can't afford any mistakes on this lap. That is that exhaust blowing

stuff that you can hear that we were hear sog much about at

Silverstone. -- hearing so much about at Silverstone. Perez is 139.

Will this get him through. Fernando Alonso is flying. Does he need to?

He is in 12th at the moment. Somebody moved up the order. Was it

Sebastien Buemi? Sebastien Buemi it was. Rosberg is up into fourth.

Massa is fifth. Perez crosses the line and goes seventh. He is inside.

Bruno Senna is right up there. Senna in fifth. Fernando Alonso is

in 13th. Petrov has gone into fourth. Fernando Alonso gets in

fastest. Fernando Alonso from Lewis Hamilton. Who did that affect?

Jenson Button in 13th. Button is out of it. Rubens Barrichello is

14th. Jenson Button, in all of that frantic last minute action, got

bumped right down the order. If he did have to yield, you were saying

you thought he may have to yield to Lewis. If he did, it has cost him a

horrible grid position. He did move over for Lewis Hamilton on that lap.

So whether that was a call from the pits ors -- pits, or whether he

made a mistake. Pastor Maldonado, 100% Pastor Maldonado will a

penalty. He pulse alongside Lewis and then takes a swipe at him.

Unacceptable. Pastor Maldonado if he makes the grid. Is there any

damage to the car stkph no, it was done deliberately, he cut across me

and hit my car. I think my front is damaged. Front wheels. There is so

lilt time before qualifying three. I spoke to Nigel Mansell and he

said we have had nothing. It has been so quiet. If they don't send

Pastor Maldonado home for that, it I not right. You can't tolerate

that. That sends all the wrong signals to young drivers. You can't

do that. I'm furious and I'm not even in the car. I hate to see

unsporting behaviour. If he has got a problem with Lewis, he should

face him up and discuss that point. If he wants to get physical and

misbehave then that is up to him. Doing that on the track is just

mindless. And he will definitely be penalised. Will they get Lewis

Hamilton's car repaired in time? A new front wing is not a problem.

But sometimes it does change the balance. Well the last minute

action then, Senna got himself into the top ten on his return to the

track and his first race for Renault, very good effort from him.

Massa got in. JAKE HUMPHREY: Well done Bruno Senna. But that session

dominated by incidents with the McLaren cars. Jepz make didn't make

it through. But this Lewis Hamilton and Pastor Maldonado situation. It

I no t first time they have got friendly with each other. Let's go

back to the start of today and Lewis Hamilton was desperate to

make it over the time. And didn't want to have mald' - Pastor

Maldonado to stop him. If they have an issue with each other they need

to sort this out. We're talking about debris, dangers to each

others' lives and the public. This is unacceptable. What happened

after they went around the La Source hairpin. What, it is as wide

as could be. Look at this from a different angle. He actually moves

straight across on him. It is bizarre. It is like as if he fell

asleep. Or it was intentional. I don't know. We need to ask. This

for me was not straight forward. There is something lurking in the

background that we need to get to the bottom of. Maybe it is what

happened in man Coe a few races ago, when Lewis Hamilton had a bit of a

crash, bang wah lop time and stuck Pastor Maldonado into the barrier

rplt --. We know Lewis apologised. My guess is this is long in the

past. You have got a season to think about and he jeopardised his

position, Pastor Maldonado, although he has not made the top

ten. He knew what was going on there. And Monaco be lingering back.

It cost him points in Monaco, there noise doubt. That was a mistake by

Lewis Hamilton. But this should not be reoccurring. Revenge is never

sweet. I find this difficult for another race driver to treat

another one like that, it us unacceptable. You you're going to

get revenge, the place is not to do it is around the circuit driving at

high speed. Will what Nigel man several make of -- Mansell maim

make of it? The stewards have a better understanding of is what

happen and they will investigate it and have both drivers there and it

will be a serious investigation. I think there will be penalties.

David talks about Pastor Maldonado not being allowed to race. I

wouldn't go that far. I don't know what the extent of the wrath that

the steward will have, but it will have to be looked at in a very

Hamilton's car? We are waiting to hear from our expert in the pit

lane, Ted Kravitz, if he can get near to that. He is on his way down.

I'm sure they will fix the car? the brush with the side of the car

damaged the front wing and the suspension is quite strong in that

area, I have seen cars banging more aggressively so they will not be

too concerned and he would not pull the car out of qualifying on as a

driver said know. He will have felt if the geometry was correct on the

slowing-down lap and its Loch Carnan suspension, you can see some

of the damage on the bodywork. That is reassuring, it means that side

of the car took most of the impact. The driver is only one of three

stewards forced -- for stewards. What would you do? You would get

both the drivers' in, look at all of the information and once you

have all of that, you make a decision but knee-jerk, Maldonado

would be getting a severe penalty. In the back of the garage, all of

the mechanics are looking at this and the sponsor's logo has rubbed

off on the right hand side. It looks intact, these cars are

ostensibly in parc ferme. They have changed the front wing. They have

told Lewis to kill his engine. It looks like they're just going to

relax and that and see if they can make any more changes. They're

changing the tyres, putting on intermediate. Is that dry tyres on

Ferrari? Yes, it looks like a car has been bandaged up and it will

survive the session. Jensen Button, we heard a radio message and he was

told to come into the pits and he said, are you sure? They said yes.

Whoever is on soft tyres. -- Mark Webber. The bid 2.02 at the end of

that last session so we are right on the cusp of leading -- Nadine

those slick tyres. -- meeting. So, dry tyres going on to Lewis

Hamilton. Felipe Massa has gone off from the exit. That's double

trouble. You go up the road and you lose so much temperature. They go

out of the Pits with the blankets at 100 degrees and this is where

Fernando Alonso dropped, he dropped earlier. There is a little gravel

trap. No damage. He will drop that gravel and for the others to have

fun on. Just carry on and back into the tyres. Everything is still OK.

That car will need to go through a paint job. That rash. They stripped

them all down so there is no added weight. Everything has to come off.

It is a huge amount of work so no specific damage to the car in terms

of the potential that time what a lot of cosmetic damage so, Jensen

Button starting in 13th, he isn't in this qualifying top 10 shoot-out.

Sadly, Fernando Alonso is going through and now it's a question of

really having to take a gamble on how much grip there is on the

corner. You cannot coast through there? You don't have that luxury.

You don't. We are seeing some of those out laps, they're going

purple, there is clearly enough grip. What they just need to avoid

is running out of that try-line and using the curbs on the exit. What

happens now is everything just comes to us you, the tyres and

brakes heat up and the pressures become right again. These tyres,

lower than the car by 2.5 mm. And you have a proper racing car.

last person to figure out that intermediates were not that hard to

use was Nico Rosberg, he has changed in two sec. On the right-

hand side of Lewis Hamilton's car, it is held together by two bits of

black gaffer tape. This guy is darkening. This is the moment.

of the reasons they might choose not to send Lewis Hamilton out is

the negative pressure on the bodywork, it tries to suck the

bodywork of the car so if it isn't held in place correctly, you can be

quite a bit of damage. They have loads of dry tyres left, they would

be very nervous about intermediate. Sebastian Vettel, on the slick

tyres. And on board. No issues with confidence, I present his DRS

system would have been closed at that point. -- I prison. We have

seen the wings being open on track. They become available when the

slick is on. Sebastian Vettel, doing 54.7. Lewis Hamilton, going

through. Never completely off the throttle, that was impressive.

Climbing the hill. And it is a hill. The camera angle takes a lot of

that elevation away. It is the highest point on the track. He is a

quarter of a second up as he gets through the first checkpoint.

Webber, Felipe Massa, Alguersuari, there is Hamilton. They are all out

there. All 10 of the cars are now on the track, unsurprisingly.

have seen Sebastian Vettel to 31.9. Which is only eight tenths slower

than last year. If they are lifting, it must be a tiny left, bravery in

the extreme when you have partial wet and dry conditions. Completely

flat through the second part. Full throttle. And we begin to see some

action. This is the first time that drivers... Mark Webber does 50.8.

He sets a new benchmark, Perez two seconds slower. We need to keep a

close eye out for who gets across the line last again. As we watch

Lewis Hamilton. He is second now. Half a second shout. Sebastian

Vettel in the background, what can he offer? Still Mark Webber, has a

few tenths of a second in his pocket and just have a second off

last year's pole position. It is actually five seconds of qualifying.

It is faster than anybody else and has gone so far. He has got a new

personal and field best. In Sector One. As we watch him head down the

hill. The car accelerates so easily and beautifully down there. Mark

Webber, the second sector time does not come up after this she came...

He looks strong. Your contract in his pocket, birthday cars through

the post this morning and he looks very at home on this race track.

And it is mighty fast as well. Having spent a week in America, the

impression is he is looking awesome! He has been connected

through all these conditions. A brave man with 1.5 minutes to go.

Who would bet against him for pole position? Whoever will only get one

more flying lap. Some of them will get to. -- two. Webber on a 49.3.

As ever, the McLaren looks very stiffly sprung across the pond. A

very difficult Mickey Mouse last chicane. Crossing the line now.

That is one 10th shy of pole position. Sebastian Vettel goes

fastest. Three-tenths of a second covers the top three. They have got

one more lap and the R drivers out there who might get a second lap in.

Bruno Senna will be one of them and Nico Rosberg. Let us see... This is

all about the front row in the next two minutes. Rosberg is flying out

from Mercedes, only 10 cars in this final part of qualifying. And watch

Mark Webber. 6th gear. He has gone a little bit wide. Luckily, the

water is gone. Traffic ahead, that is Sergio Perez in the Sauber. Into

the corner. He is a few thousandths of a second up on his best work.

has actually lost time, he is now down. He will not have enough

unless the absolutely finds something amazing in this last

chicane. It sounds like he is up at the very top end of his range, it

is just not accelerating. Hamilton is flying out there. He had a good

tow from that Sauber. He can get good purchase on the racetrack.

Mark Webber in second place at the moment, crosses the line and it is

one 10th saw. But this man, Hamilton, bouncing all over the

place, yet again. He comes out of the last corner for McLaren, if he

is third at the moment, he crosses the line and goes fastest, he is on

pole position. Can they respond? No, Sebastian Vettel, half a second saw.

Sorry, Sebastian Vettel has done it! He was faster. The time change

in front of my eyes. Sebastian Vettel, once again, all pole

position, with Hamilton and then Mark Webber. Fernando Alonso in 6th

place. Rosberg, Perez, Bruno Senna in mind. Petrov. We had just seen a

change. Bruno Senna has gone up into 6th place. We are on board.

The action is still very much going on out there. Look at this McLaren

bouncing on the bumps. And Rosberg has gone 5th whilst we were

watching the replays. His final lap... Alguersuari remains in 6th

place, Bruno Senna in seven. Also in eight days. That means Petrov is

still on to personal bests. And he stays in 10th place. Letters

recount, Sebastian Vettel, Hamilton... I can confirm, pole

position by half of the second. Well done. Brilliant! Thank you.

That is the answer! Thank you. Sebastian Vettel endeavouring to

keep his tyres cool. Going through the water. And those are the tyres

that he will need to start the race on tomorrow. So, Sebastian Vettel,

yet again, the Red Bull on pole position with Lewis Hamilton, his

car does not look good but somehow he got into second on the grid.

Mark Webber takes third. Just ahead of Felipe Massa's Ferrari, who has

out qualified his team-mate, Fernando Alonso, there will only

start on eighth place. They skin from the results of qualifying...

And Sebastian Vettel, look at that, just as we thought that someone or

other than Red Bull would be on pole, Sebastian Vettel takes pole

position by almost half the second. One full second ahead of Mark

Webber, congratulations to Felipe Massa and Bruno Senna, who has been

parachuted into the car, starts on 7th. Also a difficult day for Paul

di Resta. And you can see for drivers outside 107%. We would

expect them to be racing. That was a cracking session and we saw

drivers clashing with drivers and Lewis Hamilton fighting to the

finish. And a very stiff McLaren. Bouncing around all over the place.

There are so many superlatives, you do not know where to start. We must

start with the guy who just at the last gasp, Sebastian Vettel, proved

us wrong after the school report. Back on pole position. Literally in

every way. That was an amazing lack. And a wonderful example of what

excitement there can be in qualifying. Abandon the race

tomorrow. Sebastien Vettel gets pole position but what about the

boys behind? Jensen Button will be frustrated, starting at 13 if but

he did his bit for the team. Pulling over to allow Lewis

Hamilton to go through and it nearly worked out perfectly. He was

on provisional pole position. Always a team player but could not

get his side of the team any higher to see you so soon on a Saturday.

What happened? Misunderstanding. I did my first lap then and I cooled

the tairs. Not knowing that I didn't have any more laps left. --

cooled the tyres. The track is getting drier, with so many cars

out. I think I was third quickest when I did my lap. Then I didn't

get the opportunity to do another lap. So wow, that is massively

disappointing and a big shock. In Q1, I was a second quicker than

anyone. A misunderstanding and a mistake on our part. One moment it

looked like you had to yield, was that to give Lewis clear air?

that was my cool down lap. I didn't realise that was it. I would have

kept pushing. But I didn't know that was it. I thought I had

another lap. It looks like a dry race, are you are set for that.

Were you gambling on today? No a dry set up. But our car is quick

around here and in every practice session we have been in the top

that he. So it has been very competitive and when we have been

on the Sir vit -- circuit we have been quickest. It is tough being in

13th. But we have to deal with it now. I am sure he will deal with it.

The first time he is not in Q3. He said it was Mus communication.

Seems to be the order of the day. Here is Paul di Resta. What was the

problem today? It didn't go wrong really. I made a small mistake the

lap before and we were a bit quicker and the team chose to bring

me in, saying we were safe and we should box. When I got back, they

said we hate to tell you this, but somebody's went quicker. Thai I'm

not aware of the situation. I do as I'm ordered. We chose to sit out

the middle of the session and go out when the conditions were west.

-- best. Ieft confident we would have been further up had that nod

happened. You felt you shouldn't be here. Just a wrong call. Another

unhappy British boy. In the last five races the man starting 18th

has picked up poinds. We saw Michael Schumacher not manage a lap.

But the biggest story, Pastor Maldonado with what lacked like a

deliberate swipe at Lewis Hamilton? Again we don't want the just

interfere with what the steward's decision. But this looks clear as

if Pastor Maldonado has ran into the side of hill. We need to know

what the explanation is for that. Which well wait and see. Nigel man

several is the drivers' representative with the -- Mansell

is the representative with the stewards. If you look behind, you

can see Eau Rouge. Tomorrow the true action gets going and it is so

tight at the front with Sebastian Vettel from Lewis Hamilton, Felipe

Massa getting in the mix, Mark Webber is up there. What do you

expect tomorrow? Well I have learned a long time ago in Spa,

never look for a prediction. Because it usually turned on its