Japanese GP: Williams Martini 3rd & 5th in Qualifying

Team Summary:
Q1: After an encouraging final practice that saw the Williams Martini drivers finish in
fourth and fifth the Williams team would get ready for the opening eighteen minute period for the 2015 Japanese GP. The first cars would come out with the early times seeing Hamilton fastest, 1m:33.595, followed by Rosberg and Ricciardo. All the quickest times were being set on the hard tyre. After their first runs the Williams pair were third and fourth but it was now going to be a case of seeing whether the teams would switch to the option tyre. Raikkonen was now in third and Vettel fifth. This would see Valtteri and Felipe fourth and sixth. The top seven had all set their times on the hard tyre while those below were all on the option medium tyre.

Three minutes remaining and Felipe had dropped to eighth with several medium shod cars moving ahead of him Grosjean was now fifth and Kvyat seventh on the option tyre. Hamilton would set a new quickest time with a 1m:32.844 still running on the hard tyre. Felipe was now tenth as more drivers went quicker as the period drew to a close. Rosberg had set a 1m:33.015 as the period came to an end. Both Williams cars had made it through into the second period without having to use any option tyres. Verstappen would have his car come to a halt half on the track ruining several drivers final lap times. The drivers eliminated were Button, Ericsson, Nasr, Stevens, and Rossi. Verstappen had reported a loss of power due to an electronics issue causing his car to stop.

Q2: The second fifteen minute period would get underway with Rosberg out first running on the medium tyre. Both Williams cars would come out on new option tyres. The first times would see Rosberg quickest with a 1m:32.632 followed by Hamilton and Kvyat. Felipe and Valtteri were third and fourth with Ricciardo fifth. Sainz was sixth followed by Hulkenberg, Kvyat, and Perez. Raikkonen would move into third, 1m:33.361, with Vettel sixth. Felipe and Valtteri would drop to fourth and fifth. Both drivers had saved a set of option tyres from the opening period. Two minutes of the period remaining and the top six drivers were all in their pits. Seventh placed Ricciardo was back out with Alonso coming out for the first time.

There was just 0.039 separating the Williams pair. Perez was now eighth followed by Kvyat and Grosjean. Williams had no plans to send their drivers back out again. Ricciardo was on an improved lap but would pull into the pits remaining seventh. The period would end with both Williams cars comfortably through.

Q3: The final period would commence with both Mercedes carts coming out on new option tyres. They would be joined by Ricciardo and both Williams cars would come out with Felipe out first. Only Kvyat was still in his pit as the drivers started their timed laps. A 1m:32.584 from Rosberg with Hamilton setting a 1m:32.660 and Ricciardo third, 1m:33.497. Third and fifth after their first runs for the Williams pair. Raikkonen was sixth with Perez and Kvyat yet to set a time. Replays had shown Hamilton lock a front wheel on his first lap. All ten drivers were now out on the track. But the period would be red flagged with Kvyat having a big accident just ahead of the hairpin.

There was thirty six seconds left in the period. It was announced that the period would not be restarted seeing Rosberg get pole. The top ten was Rosberg, Hamilton, Bottas, Vettel, Massa, Raikkonen, Ricciardo, Grosjean, Perez, and Kvyat. Kvyat's car was destroyed but thankfully Kvyat was able to get out of his car. Replays would show the Red Bull roll after hitting the barrier. It looked like Kvyat had moved his car too far left going onto the grass and sending it into a spin. So for Williams Valtteri and Felipe will start Sundays race from third and fifth. It was a great result after the frustrations of Singapore.

Felipe Massa:
Q1: Felipe would be first out for the Williams team and his first lap would see him third with a 1m:34.744. Felipe would drop to fourth behind his team-mate as he pitted. Felipe would be sixth after the runs of the Ferrari's. With the end of the period Felipe would finish tenth.

Q2: Felipe would follow Valtteri out also on new medium tyres. A 1m:33.377 would see him third moving in front of Valtteri. Felipe would also pit and while in the pits would drop to fourth. It was a straight forward period with Felipe easily through into the final period.

Q3: Felipe would start the final period on new option tyres and would set a 1m:33.337 to be fourth but Vettel would move ahead seeing Felipe now fifth. Felipe would pit receive a new set of medium tyres and head back out. With the red flag Felipe would not get to complete his second lap seeing him remain fifth.

Valtteri Bottas:
Q1: A short while after Felipe had taken to the track Valtteri would come out also on the hard tyre. His first lap would see him move ahead of Felipe with a 1m:34.326 to be third. Valtteri would pit after his first run. He would be fourth now behind Raikkonen. He would keep his position with the end of the period.

Q2: Valtteri would be first out in the period also on new medium tyres. His first lap would see him third with a 1m:33.416. This would become fourth as Felipe went ahead. Valtteri would pit after his lap dropping to fifth. Like Felipe he was comfortably through.

Q3: Valtteri was also out early running on new medium tyres. He would set a 1m:33.024 to be third and he would pit. Valtteri had being able to close the gap to the Mercedes cars. Valtteri would come back out for his second run again on new option tyres. He would have to pit as a result of the red flag and would start from third. A great result from the Finn. Valtteri would say "Today was difficult after all the rain on Friday. It's a nice surprise but we knew this track would suit us."