The Italian Grand Prix - Qualifying Highlights Formula 1

this crumbling concrete, it is part of a tranquil park on the outskirts

of Milan. But this decaying track tells a far from tranquil tale. For

precisely 90 years, this place has given us everything that motor

noise. What a circuit, of what a place to

drive, and for every one of those 90 years, the cars have delivered

the speech, and the fans have delivered the atmosphere. It will

not surprise you that the dominant colour is red. Ferrari red. Welcome

to qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix. Talking about the fans, they

are quite excitable, did you not once get stripped in the 90s?!

car got stripped in 94, I run out of fuel at the beginning of the

entrance to the pit lane, they took everything they could. You were

left unscathed? They were not interested in the! It is also about

the politics. Many things have been decided and worked out off the

track here, it is an important race, politically. Yes, everybody

believed in the past that Ferrari caddied a big engine, but that was

nonsense. If you think about the driver and what goes on for the

following season, picking the drivers and announcing the teams

was always done here. The reason is because it is the final race of the

European season. Plenty of different drivers have picked up

race victories. The season ends in Brazil. We come here, having been

at another legendary circuit in Belgium, a remarkable start to that

race, and it is the talking point about closed cockpit racing. What

is the latest? Testing is at an advanced stage, several reports

have been passed on to the Association, and it is a question

whether the teams or the FITA decide to go for that type of

canape or whether they go for a more traditional metal structure.

As you can see from this, how close Fernando Alonso was. That accident

has got people talking about closed cockpits, but that has not been the

big talking point. The story was broken by Eddie Jordan on Wednesday,

and as soon as he arrived here, he decided to delve deeper.

Lewis Hamilton has spent 15 years with McLaren., knitting in a

glorious championship win in 2008. Many people believe he is here for

his entire career. I understand he is about to leave the team. Since I

made this store Republic, McLaren have been inundated with requests

to respond. What is your understanding of the current

position for next season? understanding is that we are

talking to him. Any sentence that begins Eddie Jordan understands is

questionable! Thank you for that! We know he has been to see Ferrari,

he has been to see Red Bull, he is in discussions. Why is that?

driver has to be driving at a team that he is happy with it, he has

got to be happy here. We do not want an unhappy driver with our

team. In life, you look at options, and everybody does that. This team

is a good place for him to be. But he has got to believe that. And his

management have got to believe that. We will say in the coming days or

weeks. Or you convinced he will be driving for McLaren next year?

pretty convinced we will have a good, competitive driver next year.

If Lewis Hamilton were to leave, what needs to happen? I believe

Mercedes is by far the most likely home for him. But they already have

two drivers, and we know three into two does not go. Does Michael

Schumacher agree with my theory? heard that as well, but let's not

comment. Eddie Jordan can have his own point of view. For the moment,

he is a McLaren driver. He is totally motivated and focused on

getting to as many points as he can for his team. Perhaps the last

words should be his. Nothing has been signed. We are in advanced

negotiations with McLaren. That is what you would like to raise?

is what we are working on. Some remarkable responses. When you

were conducting those interviews, it felt like people were not

answering your questions, they were using the interview to tell you

what they wanted to tell the world. Precisely, we know what age huge

platform this is, and they want to get that out all over the world.

Any team principal, you and the answer the question that you want

to have been asked. That is what they are de rigueur. It is not a

case of asking what they said but why they have said it. You have

driven for this team, you have negotiated contracts with this team,

did Martin Whitmarsh sound like a confident man? He sounded like he

was trying to say the least amount possible without committing. The

thing that stood out was the fact that it was more about convincing

the management than it was about Lewis Hamilton. I am sure that

Lewis Hamilton is committed to the team. But he does have a management

company, and it is their job to secure him the best financial terms.

That will be the stumbling block. The one question, many teams could

afford him, why Mercedes? It is clear, they give almost everything

to his management company. They gave him a worldwide platform.

McLaren is a huge a successful team, but they are British and can find,

but Mercedes is totally global, and there are unparalleled

opportunities. I guess he would look at what happened with Michael

Schumacher going to Ferrari. One thing is for certain, we will not

get any answers this weekend! That was the big talking point so far

this weekend, but here is Lee McKenzie with the rest of the

Belgian Grand Prix has remained a talking point all week, with safety

in driving standards being looked at by the FITA. Watching the crash

back, if you appreciate how close it really was. When it happened, I

was ready to continue if the car was not to damaged. You do not

realise how close it is. After the incident, and having crashed seven

times on the first lap from 12 races, Romain Grosjean was given a

one-race ban, so Jerome d'Ambrosio takes his place this weekend.

all happened really quickly. A lot of information to taking, but it is

a great opportunity. I will try to stay as relaxed as I can, and tried

to do my job. Pastor Maldonado was given two five place grid penalties

for this weekend, one for a jump- start and the other for causing a

collision. It was a bad weekend in Belgium. We need to restart here

with a 10 place penalty, which is difficult. Sebastian Vettel avoided

the melee and went on to finish second, but after watching the

crash back, he feels that changing the design of the cars is only a

matter of time, if not choice. be honest, if you look at the

incidents, QC how close it was. It pushes a very much into that

direction. If you have the choice to have a canape or not, you will

go for the option to have one. That is the way to go in the future,

even though I am not a big fan. Alex Zanardi, who lost both legs in

2001, has won two gold medals in the Paralympics in hand cycling to.

The drivers have been praising his coverage, personality and

describing him as an inspiration. Amazing, all of us extend our

congratulations to him, a true sporting hero. They love their

sportsmen here. You can see the crowd, no prizes for guessing which

garage we are standing outside, it is Ferrari. All of the focus is on

this team, and they have given their fans are a scare. But today,

they have looked really fast in final practice. Make sure you

understand, I am really quite convinced that they will be close

to the front. Or you expecting them to be quick? This morning was a

good indication, Fernando Alonso was in the top three, Felipe Massa

not too far behind. I expect them to be challenging for the front row.

Just to give you an idea of the battle for the championship,

Fernando Alonso and had a 40. GAP dummied into the last race, but it

has been trimmed. Red Bull are looking in pole position to pick up

their third constructors title in three seasons. David Coulthard will

join Ben Edwards in the commentary box. All of the signs this weekend

point to a remarkable fight for separated Lewis Hamilton from

Fernando Alonso in practice this morning. 14 cars were covered by

one second. Qualified has begun. Gary Anderson, what can we expect?

The of tyres are fairly durable. The harder will do four or five

laps. The softer, the best thing we have seen this morning that is a

fast lap, a slap and a fast lap. The third one is the best. Because

of the extra grip, the straight- line speed is reduced. That is

everything here, that is why we will see such small rear wings on

the cars. This is the fastest circuit on the calendar. It is the

lowest downforce on the calendar. Braking down the first corner is

important. On board with Daniel Ricciardo in the Toro Rosso. A

better the chance to look through the trees at this wonderful setting

of the Monza circuit. This was a corner many years ago. Use as much

of the kerb as you possibly can. That is not a good sign gun as he

goes into the first corner. These tyres suffer from thermal

degradation. The DRS is wide-open, you can use it on every streak.

This will be a sight to lap from Daniel Ricciardo. After the points

scored last time, they will be hopeful. Toro Rosso are an Italian

team. This is a home event for them. They will be hopeful to get cars in

the points. But they were fortunate in Belgium, with the accident. They

took advantage of the situation, and they came through with some

decent points. Daniel Ricciardo sets the pace initially, one second

building flat spots on these tyres. You see howk howk, not even

attempting to do the first -- Huck not even attempting to do the first

chicane. Unusual why he just went on. We will maybe get a reason for

that. That is a good opening gambit from Paul di Resta. Hull Kenburg

the -- Nico Hulkenberg had his best finish the last time out. The

Mercedess struggled last time. But this weekend they have looked fast.

They run the double DRS system, so- called, because it stalls the front

wing and has that obvious opening of the rear wing. That gives them

the ability to reduce the overall drag. There is more information on

how that works, but my understanding is it enable them to

close that DRS later on the entry to the corner, because they're

getting less of an imbalance across the car. So this sh -- should in

theory be a better weekend for their team. Michael Schumacher has

gone second. It is a Mercedes one/two. On boards with Nico

Hulkenberg. There is no gear selected. We will have a look at it.

On a down shift it sounds. As he was going through the run off area

he had to park the car. On board with Alonso under the trees. A good

lap so far. He was quick in the first sector, although not fastest

of all. He has traffic up ahead. Senna glancing in his mirrors.

Senna keeping over to the left. He had held up a few times this

morning. He is making sure he won't cause the same problem to anybody

else. He has got Felipe Massa ahead. Ferrari were playing with using the

two car tosto each other around. Gary, you said it sound like fe

Nando has a higher system. He has more down force in the rear wing.

He likes that extra grip. I'm not sure it will work tomorrow. But

today it will make the car more secure on braking. Fernando Alonso

is fastest. That is a good opening lap from Fernando Alonso on the

harder of the two compounds of tyre. Michael Schumacher with a lock up

there. He decided he had to take the escape road. He took the

decision late. Part of floor sticks out and is referred to as the tea

tray, I have never seen anybody put a cup of tea on there, but Rosberg

has gone purple in the first and second sector. So this could be the

quickest. Nico Rosberg is second. So a fraction off the time of

Fernando Alonso. Paul di Resta you are on board now with the Scot.

With his Italian heritage. Here we are in Italy, no Italian drivers

here this year. He is third quickest. Watching Kimi Raikkonen

here, he has never won at Monza, but he had pole position in 2006.

Let's keep an eye on his pace. Fernando Alonso has just gone

fastest. Where does this put Kimi Raikkonen? He is fifth. He is half

a second off the pace. On boards now with Sebastian Vettel.

Currentfully eighth place as he comes up to this -- currently in

eighth place. He is hanging on the first tyre grip there. Trying to

get the power open. Those who follow Formula One may remember

Derek Warwick overstepping the mark and running wide and clouting the

barriers. Fernando Alonso, look at that, half a second quicker than

Nico Rosberg. Benefiting from a double pause. This is at the double

Les mow. We're watching Lewis Hamilton. He has gone fastest in

the first sector. This could be an improvement from Lewis. He has

never won the race here. He has had a pole position in 2009. He has had

a couple of incidents in races in the past. Once he was chasing

Jenson Button. He has got fastest first and middle sector.

Interesting it has taken him several laps to build up the

confidence to bring the tyres in. He has now found form and this

should take him to quickest in the session. He has had that he pole

positions. He is second fastest to Fernando Alonso. You're watching

Pastor Maldonado, who will have that tenth police grid ppblty, once

all of the qualifying is finished. -- grid penalty. He has done that

on a few occasions so far this year. He is seventh at the moment. On

boards with Jenson Button. We have seen haplts do a 1.25.02. He is

third now. Nico Hulkenberg is back in the pits. Gary any news on Nico

Hulkenberg is this No other than Nico Hulkenberg is probably at the

end of straight. That points the finger at something being a problem.

We could add lots of things up. This is a very hard circuit on gear

boxes. You get a snatch of torque through the guideline. This is

Jerome D'Ambrosio. He is on a good lap and he should perhaps get into

that top 17. His first time out in a Formula One car this season. He

has raced here before. He is 17th. He is 17th and just in there. He

has got a decent margin over Heikki Kovalinan. You would think Jerome

D'Ambrosio has done enough. Heikki Kovalinan's made it into Q2 a

couple of times. Can he pull something out of bag? His first

split is indicating he is not going to do it, he is not fast enough.

seems the teams at the back of the grid are not particularly good in a

straight line. That would suggest they don't have as good a natural

down force in the car and it is quite dirty down force. He is

weaving side to side that, suggests he is trying to get heat into the

tyres. He should get two more laps. We know the tyres are lasting

reasonably well. So he is not safe yet. Heikki Kovalinan will do his

best to beat the time Jerome D'Ambrosio has set. Let's see what

has been going on. Jean-Eric Vergne is at the first chicane and he had

to get out of that. He is 15th, but he is faster than team mate, Daniel

Ricciardo. As we see this is depbts, it doesn't lock up. We ra hearing

the drivers were complaining about these seeping -- sleeping policeman

and a suggest that the sleeping policemen were eating too much

pasta and they were too big. Why they would wait until after P3 to

complain, it does seem a bit late. Jerome D'Ambrosio has done a slower

lap. We're watching Michael Schumacher, who is 12th fastest.

All that matters is getting in the top 17. That is what we're focused

on now, whether it will be Jerome D'Ambrosio. He will get one more

lap in here and the tyres do seem to be holgd up well at this stage.

-- holding up well. He exits the bend and the Caterham now flat out

down the start/finish straight. But it is not enough to go into 17th

place. Heikki Kovalinan done a 1.26.6. He has one more lap. I'm

not sure he will be able to make it. Jerome D'Ambrosio has staid out

there. He has not done any personal bests, but I think the 26-year-old

Belgian should be through into the second part of qualifying that.

Means the first hurdzle is coming pleethed. -- hurdle is completed.

He is doing another lap for practice. It was a slightly better

time in the end. He made one less gear change on the way into

parabolica. Every time you shift down, it takes a bit of speed off

mid corner. As his confidence builds, he can take that corner in

what sounds like fourth gear. He will have been satisfyed to make

the first bit of qualifying. Timo Glock is just through. Pedro de la

Rosa is behind Narain Karthikeyan and it looks as though Narain

Karthikeyan may have outqualified his team mate. Heikki Kovalinan,

sadly, towards the back and it is the first time that Narain

Karthikeyan has out-qual fade team mated since the 2005 Chinese Grand

Prix. But he has not done any full seasons since then. He has done

bits and pieces. I saw him just before qualifying. He was quicker

than Pedro de la Rosa this morning and he has out-done his team mate.

Cue a billion people in India clapping and cheering. So those

outs are Heikki Kovalinan, Vitali Petrov, Charles Pic and Narain

Karthikeyan. And the shock is that Nico Hulkenberg is also out. JAKE

HUMPHREY: Nico Hulkenberg, something went wrong what,

happened? Suddenly lost drag. The engine just switched off itself.

That is unusual. That notice good! No, quite disappointing, we showed

a good performance and today could have been a good day. But now it is

a different challenge. EDDIE JORDAN: we were impressed with the

race last weekend and here another few days later and you have the

disa pointment. Do you think you have the belief that this consider

can drag you up into the points? have, I'm happy with the car and

the balance. We have done a good job. Now it is unfortunate the way

qualifying went. But we're not giving up and this car can still

drag me into the points. Good man. Keep your eye on Huck tomorrow. He

will be looking to overtake and get into the points. Now back to the

second part of qualifying. second part of qualifying starts.

While Nico Hulkenberg is out, Paul di Resta is one of the first to

take to the track. Now team will work. Q2 has been one of the most

competitive sessions throughout the year. Gary, what is it going to

take to get into the top ten this time? Felipe Massa and one of

Mercedes got out on the softer tyre. I think you need to do a 4.6 or a

24.7. I think you have got to get into that before you can be safely

in the top ten. Fernando Alonso set the fastest pace in the first part

of qualifying. You're watching Paul di Resta he is using the kerbs. You

have got to be aggressive on them. DAVID COULTHARD: The purist would

describe the track limit being shown by the white lines. And when

we do that, we're stealing a bit. This is always about getting your

car not only sets up in a straight line and braking, but the ability

of the drive tore shorten the line and take the shortest route through

the corner by cutting the kerbs. Sometimes you have a car that works

well every where apart from in the kerb-jumping. That is something you

areas, but it is so important. According to Gary Anderson, that

should be about right. He is on the softer tyre. Felipe Massa has made

an error. You can see the sleeping policeman. Not doing any damage,

hopefully, but not ideal, because he has lost that lap. We saw

Michael Schumacher lock-up earlier, and he gets the back end a loser.

We do not see that so often. Michael came off the brake pedal

and turned him, there was not enough real grip. This is a good

one from Fernando Alonso, but not as good as Q1. Out comes Lewis

Hamilton, up on the softer compound. The medium tyre. Pastor Maldonado

has gone into fourth place. Let's not forget Nico Rosberg. We have

seen good pace from him so far this weekend. They seemed to be in

better shape, Mercedes, than in Belgium. Mark Webber uses the curbs

at Variante Ascari. Nico Rosberg is warming up his tyres in the

background. On the one hand, bearing on to the curbs is a bad

thing, because you are picking up Variante Ascari. Mark Webber went

into seventh place. For the moment, he is reasonably safe. Jerome

d'Ambrosio is on the softer tyre, he will come back out onto the

harder tyre. Paul di Resta has put in a good lap. Felipe Massa has

gone into second place. Ferrari first and second so far. Jenson

Button looks as though he could beat them all, because he is on a

quick lap. Sergio Perez kicking up the dust. I would not want to be

that white! -- wide! It was a great recovery, and a solid lap time.

computer was quite slow to update that, Jenson Button just a little

bit slower than Fernando Alonso. had started to take the load off

the car, he was looking at his dashboard, to get feedback on his

lap time, and he drifted out onto the dust. No real harm done. But he

must have been doing 180 mph. Anderson, in Belgium, the south

because were fantastic, but they are not showing that pace here --

Sauber cars. I thought they would be doing a very good job. They have

not got it together, I think it is the braking stability into the

corner. You never know what a circuit will throw at it. It is not

throwing the lap times they want. They are in danger. We know that

Jenson Button has gone second fastest. He said he got held up. A

pretty impressive time it. Looking on the circuit Tracker, the cars

behind him, Sebastian Vettel and Jenson Button, so I presume it is

not likely that Jenson Button held him up, so is he suggesting that

Sebastian Vettel got into his way? Nico Rosberg has missed the first

chicane. He will not be able to set a lap time on this lap. Mark Webber

is down in 48 place, and he only moved up to 13th place. That back

support we have seen so far, we were not sure if they were running

the cars directly, but they do not have the pace. It looks like their

top speed. Whether that is the minimum downforce they can run with

some efficiency, or whether they think, let's just go for the best

race set-up? DRS is only available for a limited amount of the gap. It

remains to be seen. Mark Webber wants to get another set of tyres.

We have seen a few mistakes from Michael Schumacher already today.

We are getting into the climax. Gary Anderson, it is interesting to

see the Ferrari going so well, because they have been in wet

qualifying sessions, Fernando Alonso's pole positions. Yes, we

had good running on Friday, but this morning, he was right up to

speed, he was just marginally slower than Lewis Hamilton. The

momentum is there. They have a different style of real winner. --

real wind. RADIO: 100% open, the second time. Yes, 100% on the out

lap. He is trying to get the KERS up and running it. But yes, they

have got the pace, because Felipe Massa has been behind him as well.

Daniel Ricciardo has been a joy to application of the power. A small

correction as he built the speed. It was almost as if he was waving

big push McQuaid into the crowd. An unusual style. He is not likely to

get through to the final part of qualifying, although he has done it

this year, in Bahrain. Bruno Senna is in 11th place, he has done a

personal best in the first sector. An opportunity to get into the top

10 for the second time this year. He has gone down to 12th places. A

good first sector, but he backed off. Pastor Maldonado has improved.

It is still going to be tight, because Sebastian Vettel is in

tenth place. How much confidence will there be? It is interesting, a

bit of weeding out, just feeling where the car is. A nice apex.

is followed by Kamui Kobayashi. The Japanese driver was on the front

row in Belgium, but he is battling to get into the top 10. It was a

on to the power. He is a bit wider than Daniel Ricciardo. He had just

taken a bit more speed off than Daniel Ricciardo. They are still

battling it. RADIO: I have got the engine on just to make sure. Felipe

Massa, and Ice Age 4 Q3? Rob Smedley said, I think so. He very

impressive lap from Paul di Resta. Sebastian Vettel is desperate to

get into the top 10. This is good for him to make it, but Mark Webber

is on a good lap as well. This will squeeze out Pastor Maldonado, and

it could put Kimi Raikkonen into danger. Kimi Raikkonen has got

another lap. Sebastian Vettel, where he beat the chequered flag?

He is still there, with another lap today. Mark Webber is out! He has

not made it through to Q3. Last weekend, Sebastian Vettel failed,

and it is the other way around this time. Daniel Ricciardo has beaten

his team-mate as it stands. He gets one back on Jean-Eric Vergne.

Jerome d'Ambrosio standard for Romain Grosjean. This is the best

lap he has done, but it will not be enough. Kimi Raikkonen is only just

there. This latter is not looking fast for Kimi Raikkonen. -- this

lap. This will not be enough for Jerome d'Ambrosio. That shows you

how tough Formula One is, to come into a car that is competitive.

Kimi Raikkonen is only just there. He is coming back into the pits.

Can anybody else challenge? I do not think so. Kimi Raikkonen is

safe in tenth place. Mark Webber is the one squeezed out of the top

runners. He is third in the championship. That will be a blow.

But it gives him more choice in terms of strategy, a delegate to

the race. Pastor Maldonado has also failed, neither Williams has made

it in. Bruno Senna in 40 the place. -- 14th place. It took a while to

come back again. That does not make any sense at all. Pastor Maldonado

has successfully completed the corner, and he has disengaged his

brain and run onto the grass. That is a bit worrying. He might have

been looking at something in the cockpit, but that is sloppy.

cut the mess he has left for everybody else, it is the end of

the session. Sergio Perez is out. RADIO: We are 38 place. 0.1 away

from Q3. We were too close to Bruno Senna. They reckon they were too

close behind. Kamui Kobayashi has made it through, an impressive

wayside, including some big names. We will be back for Q3 in a minute.

This is what Mark Webber had to say. What were you struggling with?

lap times of the other guys. It is what we expected, we were on the

bottle. -- on the bubble. No massive surprises. We just have not

been competitive enough in this type of situation. In short runs.

Can you take any positive? It gives you a bit more freedom of in terms

of strategy. Yes, 11th place, we can choose what we did tonight, but

in general, we do not want to have this discussion, we want to be

further up. It makes life easier for us on Sunday. We have a taste

of tomorrow, but you never say never, you keep pushing it.

How have you felt this week? Nervous or excited? He is a great

opportunity, I am really happy to be sitting in a racing car. It has

been a long time. I am pleased about that. Alongside that, it is a

big challenge. We know how quick this car is, and it has been on the

podium regularly, can you get it up into the points for the weekend?

will try to do my best. We need to finish the race. That is the first

bend. The first corner is always tricky. But the race pace yesterday

it looked better than qualifying, out what happens in the pole

position shoot-out. Here is who is going to be on pole for the Italian

Grand Prix. The final part of qualifying gets under way on a

glorious autumn day. The track temperature is 40 degrees. The two

Ferraris are straight out on to the circuit and, well Alonso has looked

mighty fast here. Massa has backed him up well. Gary sh do you think

Ferrari can take a dry weather pole here stkph Yes we saw them

practicing pulling each other over a three-lap run. That is why they

have gone out so close together. A lot of other cars in between them

will be trying to help each other. That will be interesting to watch.

Of course they're using each other's slip stream to make that

hole in the air. We have seen it before and David you have done that

yourself with Mika Hakkinen. There is a lovely sign from the old

circuit, from the banking that crosses the track with Alonso's

name. You did it with Hakkinen, work together, we don't know if

they will do it. But is it a difficult thing to time well?

distance they have there between Fernando and Philippe, you will

feel a different and see a difference, so you will only be so

close that you're getting the big toe to overtake him. The risk is

you both lose your lap time. But Felipe Massa will get the benefit

of the air being moved forward with the hole that is created in the air.

They will swap around I'm sure later and then that way the

advantage will go to Fernando. Fernando Alonso has been on pole

here for Ferrari before and took the victory in 2010. What a massive

thing that was on Ferrari home turf here. It all matters so much to the

fans. Now he has got to tray and take that pole position. But the

first sector certainly faster for Massa than Alonso. He is the one

doing the chasing. They start with the big gap and Massa is doing the

chasing. Not much action at Lotus. It is in the interest of Fernando

to allow him to qualify as bst he can. Then he has a wing man in the

race. And there you go, he lets him pass. He has released him to finish

his lap. That is a perfect example of team work. Unsurprising that

Ferrari are engaging their brain and playing the long game. They

would love to be on pole and to win, but it is about the overall

Championship. Massa out of parabolica, looking for decent time

for Ferrari. He has had a decent year. Can he turn this around? He

is fastest at the moment. Not quite as quick as we have seen from

Fernando Alonso. Now presumably it ill with be Fernando Alonso's time.

But it is Massa's best time. On board with Sebastian Vettel. He

does not have a team mate to help him, because Webber is not in.

only way it could not work for Ferrari, we have Jenson Button and

Lewis Hamilton as traffic, so if they're on a slowish outlap, that

could compromise Ferrari's strategy. And mean while down to the Ascari

chicane. Short shifts in the middle. Drives it off. And then just brings

the car back across to the left before the edge of the parabolica.

Behind by the way as we thereon that, a good couple of secondss

from Lewis Hamilton. Let's see what the lap time is like for Sebastian

Vettel. It is 25.06789 watch out for Hamilton, he is going faster

than Jenson Button. Jenson Button goes seconds. But it is a faster

time from Lewis Hamilton. 24.0, the fastest time we have seen so far.

But we know it has been nip and tuck with Fernando Alonso, who is

heading back in. Interesting. He is not going to complete the run.

Whether he wants to make a change on the car, or just deciding the

timing is not quite right. Again this could be choreographed. That

could be a shrub set of tyres for Fernando Alonso. -- scrub set of

tyres. Massa's efforts have put himself ahead of Button. That is a

good performance. We know that McLaren is quick. Nico Rosberg is

getting some tyre temperature. Both Mercedess have made it into the top

ten, Kimi Raikkonen and Paul di Resta are in the top ten. Kobayashi

is also in this top ten shoot-out. Crucially, Massa is in front of

Sebastian Vettel, who is the next man in the Championship behind

Fernando Alonso. That makes a difference to Fernando Alonso. Here

we're with Nico Rosberg as he goes on to his flying lap with just over

four minutes to go in the final part of qualifying. Watch the G

meter. He is not braking as part as others. We have seen 5G of

deceleration. It is interesting to see that. Some adjustment s on the

brake balance.Less coming to the second chicane now. -- he is coming

to the second chicane now. Some cection in mid corner. Kimi

Raikkonen hit that left hand kerb in practice yesterday. Paul di

Resta preparing to come out in the Force India. He will be on track in

a moment. Kobayashi is also on track. We're back with Nico Rosberg

and his lap times, it is not quick enough, he is half a second down on

the target time that Lewis Hamilton set. He is a busy boy in the car.

He has been making brake balance adjustments, trying to adjust the

car and balance its around this lap. It is looking evenly balanced

between himself and Michael Schumacher. We should see where

Michael Schumacher come. And Nico Rosberg comes out to finish his lap.

Pole winner China, this won't be good enough for pole. It puts him

fourth at the minute, behind Lewis Hamilton, Felipe Massa and Jenson

Button. We're watching Michael Schumacher here. He is quicker than

Nico Rosberg so far. He has a couple of good sectors. We could

see a better lap from Michael Schumacher. Very even in terms of

qualifying between the two of them. Six-all this year in term of who

has been the fastest. Michael Schumacher has gone fourth and

pushed Nico Rosberg back by three tenths of a second. A good lap from

Michael Schumacher. A many time winner here. On board now with Kimi

Raikkonen. I don't think the Lotus has got front row pace here. Let's

see the end of the lap now. No, he is sixth fastest and it does seem

Gary, a quick comment from you, the guys with Renault power, you look

at the Red Bulls and the Williams who are out already, just

struggling a bit for ultimate pace here. Yes it does look like its.

But the cars are usually good at the race trim. Here you know you

have so few corners that it I about power and straight line speed. We

will have to see tomorrow, but I think they will be good in the race.

Lewis Hamilton is still fastest with a minute and a half to go.

We're into that final stage. Kobayashi has not set a time in Q3

as yet. His target has to be Sebastian Vettel. Let's watch him

across the line. He is goes eighth behind Sebastian Vettel. Paul di

Resta has gone fastest of all, but he has a five-place grid penalty.

But he is on great form. An update on the Ferrari team work, Fernando

Alonso has gone out alone, Felipe Massa is still in the pits. Well

actually Felipe Massa has appeared there. So he will be giving him the

pay back, all exiting the top chicane there. Force India

qualified second here in 2009 for Sutil. Oh a bit of oversteer on

turning. He held on to it. He is driving well here. Can Paul di

Resta do something special. He goes second. That is a tremendous lap by

Paul di Resta. 24.3. Only to Lewis Hamilton. Yes he has a five place

gear box penalty, but in sheer pace that was great stuff. A standing

ovation in our commentary box for that. A great effort from Paul di

Resta. You see him oversteering into parabolica. And Nico Rosberg

completes his final run. No change, he stays sixth. Alonso is on a lap,

but his first secondor is not that special. But hapltd's first sector

is -- but Lewis Hamilton's first sector is. We could see changes as

we're on boards with Felipe Massa. Trying to do his best for Ferrari

and to hold on to a race seat for next year if possible. Fernando

Alonso a long way back. We're not sure. Not a good lap from Fernando

Alonso. He has run out of time and Fernando Alonso's target was to be

up front. I am not sure it will work. Felipe Massa may out-qualify

him. Felipe Massa is second and where's alone sew? He is only tenth.

The Championship leader is only tenth. -- Alonso. Jenson Button has

gone second there on that lap. It is a McLaren one/two and it is

their 61st one/two on the grid, matching the Williams team. What a

performance by Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button. Lewis takes his

fourth pole of the season and McLaren's fifth of 2012 and Felipe

Massa had outqualified Fernando Alonso for the first time this year

and Felipe Massa has qualified third and Fernando Alonso is only

tenth. My goodness. Lewis Hamilton takes his 23rd career pole position.

Jenson Button will join him on the front row. Then Felipe Massa and

Paul di Resta won't start fourth, but he has qualified fourth.

Fernando Alonso only tenth fastest and he has some work to do from

against their team mates have been changed around, Narain Karthikeyan

beat rose rose and Nico Hulkenberg never set a time. JAKE HUMPHREY:

Jake what a qualifying session, we enjoipd that. We would have loved

to have been in one of cars. Lewis Hamilton, you remember what we said,

this is a race he is focus and committed. He proved that beyond

doubt. It is interesting, everyone has been talk about Lewis Hamilton

all week. He gets his chance to do his talking and that is how he

responds. His speed has never been in doubt. He is the man when he

feels comfortable with the car can deliver the big lap. I feel we have

missed in seeing Fernando Alonso, he had an issue with his car. But

an impressive front rowlock-out for McLaren. We will find out what they

thought later. Let's join Lewis Hamilton on his hot lap. David,

your thoughts? It is exiting the second Lesmos. Yo can see him

braking into ascary. He will use some kers on entry. Not as much as

other teams. Full use of DRS, small adjustment to the car as he

approaches par bol Dhaka -- parabolica. A bit of jor - steer,

but back hard on the power, releases the last part of KERS and

pole position. And pole here is more important than Monaco, nine of

the last lever men have done the business from the front row.

Because in qualifying you're allowed to see what the car can do.

It is the ultimate speed of car. I remember for years aur always this

is the track to get the engine on peak performance. They have a

strong engine and a strong car and so pole usually wins. Lewis

Hamilton would love to win tomorrow. Let's hear from him whrafplt a day

do it in. It has been a good day, I am very happy with it. I could not

have hoped for more. To have me and Jenson Button on the front row, it

is great for the team, it is a great place to have it. It will be

an interesting race, but I hope it is positive. The guys in the

factory have done a fantastic job. I am very proud of them. Tell us

about the pole position lap, because it is an art, linking it up.

My practice laps were better. I should not say that! But in

qualifying, you try to be perfect, but I generally struggle in

qualifying. My last lap had more time in it, but I did not finish it.

It is comforting to know that we have the pace. Anything can happen.

I need to focus now, but all of the attention on to tomorrow, looking

after the tyres. The most important thing is the start.

Alongside him, Jenson Button. Congratulations, a fast car, and

that is the perfect start. Yes, my team-mate is in a better position,

congratulations to him, but today has been a good day for us, but it

has got better, because I have seen what David Coulthard is wearing, a

phenomenal! He is taking tips from Eddie Jordan! I am not responsible

for this! We are here to entertain you! You entertained us. The car

seems to be working so well, how much confidence is in McLaren?

There is a lot of stuff going on off the circuit for all of us, but

the main thing is we stay focused and do our best on the circuit.

Today proved that, getting the front row, it has been a long time

since we have been on the front row together. It is a great day for us.

Today was good, but it is so difficult to get a perfect lap. It

is the same for all of us. It feels like driving a go-kart and round a

circuit. It is about keeping the minimum rips up. It is such a great

feeling, it is not just about the raw power, it is about the minimum

speed. I love it. In Q3, I have realised how much difference it

makes. On the back of a fantastic win last weekend, has that gathered

a momentum to give you this position today? This position today,

yes. The last few races, since Hockenheim, the car has been

working well. We have had a lower downforce, which is working well.

Every time we put a new package on the car, we get the performance and

we learned a lot about the car. Yes, last weekend's victory helped us

this weekend. It is not over yet, there is a long race tomorrow. We

will not be the only people in this fight. Felipe Massa has a great

chance of challenging us. Sebastian Vettel starting in fifth place, he

has got a great chance. Qualifying is all about maximising the DRS and

everything. Tomorrow, looking at the speed traps, do you think

anybody has compromised their qualifying to be stronger in the

race? If there is one person, it is Sebastian Vettel. The Red Bull car

has the limiter, so that the severed ear be short of that other

people's. If you are starting Dyfed place, it does not help here. If

you start on pole position, you disappear into the distance. We

have learned a lot from qualifying, but we do not know the outcome of

tomorrow. We will keep David Coulthard away from you, we do not

want him dazzling due on the grid! As for Ferrari, mixed is the best

way to describe their qualifying furthest forward, you have beaten

your team-mate, and what a place to do that. I am very happy for the

lap, very happy to be here in the top three. It is very important,

this is a track I always enjoyed to drive. I hope this is just the

beginning for the race tomorrow. We know how important it is for the

team and for May, this race tomorrow. Tell us what happened out

there. Something was broken in the car in Q3. They lost their easiest

pole position of the year. We did 1:come before 0.1 in Q2, -- 1:23.1.

But that is the way it is. The car will be OK tomorrow, but starting

in tenth place will be difficult. We can fix the car. But we checked

to see if we could have moved up the grid, but it was not enough, we

Hulkenberg, it was great news for Paul di Resta, George Best ever

qualifying performance in 4 min one. Let's not think about the penalty

for changing your gearbox. That is the thing to reflect on, when you

get an opportunity like that, fourth place is a big achievement

for us. All of the boys and myself can indulge in a pizza to

celebrate! We came here with hopes for how the car would be, and every

time it has been on the track, we can deliver. Today, we have run in

the top three or four. I always said that if a good kid that come

up I would be satisfied. The well done. It was a great lap. Can you

talk us through a part of your lap? And are supposed to be talking?! Go

for it! This is the part that I have been struggling with. It is

always on the edge. Heading down into a freshly resurfaced part of

the track, this is one of those corners, it sucks you in, but it is

all about the exit. I got a bit nervous on the entry, but I could

get on the KERS and DRS quickly. Then you take a short line to the

line. Is that the same for the race? You always use the shortest

line. The officials have always wonders! Did a supplement from last

weekend, -- discipline that from last weekend, does this compensate?

It was a missed opportunity last weekend. The KERS failed, and we

were just sitting there, when we could have been in the top five. We

have put ourselves in a strong position, regardless of the penalty.

We need to make sure our strategy is key for tomorrow. It looks like

Mercedes are governed to make two stops. It is a lot of laps under

extreme heat, and it depends what your balance is. I know the change

of gear box moves you down to ninth place, but you have got good pace

in the car. What flavour Peter? Something spicy! I am sure Eddie

Jordan was impressed? It is just a fantastic opportunity. When you get

the chance to come to this position, and he was there all the time. It

was an excellent, strong team performance. He is back-pedalling!

Welburn, congratulations. What about Red Bull? A year ago, they

could not stop picking up all positions. He did not have the pace

today. Sixth place today, he will move up

a place tomorrow, is it as expected? If you are cap yesterday

and this morning, we did another step in the right direction -- you

look at yesterday. This is probably the maximum. The last lap was

tricky, I try to get some slipstream, but I had to sacrifice

my warm-up. That hurt us a bit more than regained through the

slipstream. But Paul di Resta was out of reach. In the race, it could

be a different story. The car looked good on Friday. We have only

improved the car, so Richard be OK tomorrow. Michael Schumacher said

he was happy that he is moving forward a place, because that side

of the grid is better. Do you agree? Yes and No. It is pretty

clean. It is more important you get a good start. It is more important

you do everything the way you show it to get a good launch, a good

getaway. It is tight into the first two corners, so we will see what we

can do. Red Bull not really with the speed

today, but they will hope they are stronger in the race. This is how

the race can be one tomorrow. Able stop strategy is the best, but

interestingly, with the McLaren cars blocking out the front row,

once the DRS is available, they canto each other and pull away from

the rest, which is important. Felipe Massa is in third place, his

job should be to hold up the pack and try to let Fernando Alonso

catch up. Again, using the DRS. The strategy is something that is not

too flexible. If you flat stop a tyre, you could make two stops. I

did expect one stop, and I would expect McLaren to be racing up the

Congratulations to Felipe Massa, a great qualifying session for him.

Paul di Resta will take a five place drop because of a change of

we have seen previously. Fernando Alonso did not have the pace in Q3,

there was an issue with his car. Disappointingly for him, a tenth

place finish. No pace in the Red Bull compared to previous races.

Pastor Maldonado will take two five pace drops. Bruno Senna was again

outqualified by his team-mate. Jerome d'Ambrosio had just a few

days' notice that he was coming into form and a one for this race.

He will be happy with 16th place. Timo Glock again defeating his

team-mate, Charles Pic. The Rhine, the kind and qualifying in front of

power that -- Narain Karthikeyan qualifying in front of Nico

Hulkenberg. If you want to see all the action, joined us for extended

highlights tomorrow. Key to set up to be a great race. Absolutely.

McLaren fans, they have never had so good an opportunity to catch a

first and second here. What about Felipe Massa helping Fernando

Alonso? That could happen. Felipe Massa was helped a lot by Fernando

Alonso. Let's see if he pays it back. It has been a lovely day

underneath the strong Italian sun here. Lewis Hamilton, everybody has