Hulkenberg, managed by Willi Weber who guided Michael Schumacher to a record seven world titles, took command when dry conditions prevailed after a spell of rain. The 23-year-old moved to dry slick tyres and was swiftly clocking the best laps as he cut his time by seconds to seize a best lap of one minute and 14.470 seconds.
This left him on pole, first time in his first season, ahead of compatriot and title-contender Sebastian Vettel, and teammate and rival Australian Mark Webber. Briton Lewis Hamilton of McLaren, the 2008 champion, was fourth ahead of current leader Fernando Alonso of Ferrari and local hero Rubens Barrichello in the second Williams.
Schumacher, in his Mercedes, was seventh ahead of his former Brazilian teammate Felipe Massa of Ferrari, Russian Vitaly Petrov and his Renault partner Robert Kubica of Poland.
“It’s been pretty tough all weekend for me,” said Jenson Button who failed to qualify for the final session. “It is disappointing for me not to make the top ten and if Lewis does a good lap I am probably too far back to be able to help him.”
Button won his title in Brazil last year when he finished fifth after starting 14th on the grid. This year, he needs to finish first or second to have any hope of keeping his title dream alive.
Published in The Express Tribune November 7th, 2010.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ