GP Brazil: Qualifying

1. R. Barrichello, Brawn, 1:19.576
2. M. Webber, Red Bull, 1:19.668
3. A. Sutil, Force India, 1:19.912
15. V. Liuzzi, Force India, 1:24.645

Although Tonio had graduated through to Q2, he was a victim of aquaplaning when the session eventually got underway and speared off into the barriers into turn one. The Italian was taken to the medical centre for precautionary checks but was uninjured in the accident. His VJM02 sustained significant damage in the impact and will require a new gearbox, effectively dropping Tonio five places on tomorrow’s starting grid.

After the qualifying session he said: “I am really disappointed and frustrated that the qualifying ended in the way it did as I was pretty convinced I could have got into Q3 and done well – as Adrian has shown today we were very much on it. The car reacted well in the wet conditions and we showed a good performance in Q1, even if we were in traffic and couldn’t do the best lap time.”

“At the start of Q2 it was very difficult conditions and it was risky to go out but once there is a green light you have to try and go out and do your best. I am sorry for the team as we could have achieved more but I was a passenger at that stage and couldn’t do anything when the car caught that puddle. All the same I think we are in good shape tomorrow and if the conditions stay like this we have a well balanced car so I am optimistic for the race.”