Super Aguri brace a difficult qualifying session

By nGO
September 30 2006

Saturday practice started off well, but it was clear in qually that Bridgestones had a disadvantage in the wet. Super Aguri struggle to the last row on the grid in difficult conditions. Aguri hopes for a rain-free race, Yamamoto and Sato will take on Shanghai wet or dry.

Sato qualified 21st but will start last due to engine change. Yamamoto span and then his fastest lap was aborted because of a redflag. The rain disadvantaged all the bridgestone runners, the wet tires losing a second to the competition - the slowest 8 cars in qualifying all using bridgestone tires, with only one out of the ten cars using their compounds making it into the top ten.

Sato ready for the race whatever the weather. qualifying 21st with a best lap time of 1:50.326, "It was a difficult day for everyone in tricky conditions. During this morning's practice session I tested wet and dry tyres, but we were not comfortable with the evaluation of the wet's. It was important that we completed the test though as in the end we had to qualify in the rain. At the end of session we also tested the dry tyre options and completed a few timed laps, which was good because I missed most of the running yesterday. Qualifying was like a lottery, with changing weather and track conditions which made it difficult to pick the right running time, and also a red flag situation. I am taking an engine change penalty on the grid anyway, but, wet or dry, I believe that we are ready for the race tomorrow."

Disappointment as Red flag destoys Yamamoto's qualifying chances, he qualified 22nd with a best lap time of 1:55.560, "I'm really disappointed with my Qualifying result because I had confidence going into the rainy session from FP3 this morning. During Qualifying we changed our strategy and ran a new tyre evaluation. But on my fastest lap there was a red flag, so I had to come back to the garage. When I went out again there were only three minutes left and with so much water on the track there was no chance to improve on my time. Obviously the lap times are down due to the weather conditions, but my lap time today was not the best that I could have set. Whether the conditions are wet or dry tomorrow, I will just try to do my best."