United States GP: Williams 3rd and 4th in Qualifying

By Andrew Hooper
November 1 2014

Qualifying for the 2014 United States GP would see the Williams Marini team lock out the second row with Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa finishing 3rd and 4th. A fantastic result for the team that sees them the best of the rest after Mercedes in qualifying. Now it was down to Sunday's race as the Williams team aims to keep their place in the Constructors championship.

United States GP Qualifying

The final practice session for the 2014 United States Grand Prix had seen the Williams Martini team finish with their drivers in third and fourth, with Felipe Massa leading team-mate Valtteri Bottas. Now it was qualifying and there were several things to note. Vettel due to exceeding the allocated number of engine units would be starting from the pit lane regardless of where he qualifies so it was expected that his time in qualifying would be short. Also Kvyat would take a ten grid place penalty due to a engine unit change. Button would get a five grid place penalty for an unexpected gearbox change. Also with only eighteen cars entered four would drop out after the first period and a further four in the second leaving the usual ten for the final period.

The first eighteen minute period would commence with the Force India cars first out. Other drivers would also come out with Perez and Gutierrez out on the soft tyre. For Williams Valtteri was first out running on the medium tyre while Felipe would come out also on the medium tyre. Both Mercedes cars were out along with both McLarens. We yet to see either of the Lotus or Red Bull cars. A 1m:39.804 from Perez with Kvyat second and Hulkenberg third. Rosberg was then fastest with a 1m:38.848 with Magnussen now second. Valtteri was able to set a 1m:38.811 to be quickest while Felipe was in third with a time of 1m:38.997. But Hamilton would put everyone in their place as he set a 1m:38.795 to be quickest. Magnussen was now fifth followed by Perez, Button, Hulkenberg, and Kvyat tenth.

Valtteri, Rosberg, and Felipe were all on quicker laps as Vettel came out on the softer tyre. Rosberg would go quickest with a 1m:38.599 with Hamilton second as Valtteri pitted. Hamilton would come on his radio saying that he had a big flat spot and could not continue. Sutil was now up to fifth, 1m:39.149, and Perez sixth with both drivers on the soft tyre. Both Lotus cars were out with both running on the soft tyre. Rosberg would go fastest in sector one as Maldonado set a 1m:38.819 to be fourth. Rosberg would continue his lap setting a new quickest time in sector two. Vettel was tenth with a 1m:39.621 as Rosberg finished his lap setting a 1m:38.303. Of the eighteen cars fourteen had swapped to the option tyre as Rosberg pitted. Both Hamilton and Valtteri would come back out on the soft tyre as Ricciardo set a 1m:38.969 to be fifth. But Raikkonen would take this spot with a 1m:38.909.

Button would go fastest in sector one as Alonso moved up to second with a 1m:38.349. Magnussen was now third, running on the soft tyre, as we now had the whole field on the soft tyre. Vettel had pitted as Button moved up to fourth. Hamilton was on a quick lap going fastest in sectors one and two. Valtteri would set a 1m:38.249 to be fastest but Hamilton would set a 1m:37.196 to again be quickest. Felipe was now second with a 1m:37.877. Valtteri was now third with Rosberg fourth and back in his pit. Alonso was now fifth followed by Magnussen, Button, Ricciardo, Maldonado, and Raikkonen tenth. Those not making the cut were Vergne, Gutierrez, Vettel, and Grosjean. So both Williams drivers had comfortably made it into the second period.

The second fifteen minute period would commence with Kvyat out first running on the soft tyre. Maldonado was next out joined by Hulkenberg. Both Williams drivers would come out with both running on used soft tyres. Only the two McLaren's and Sutil were still in their pits as Kvyat started his flying lap. A 1m:38.699 from Kvyat as the final three cars took to the track. A 1m:39.394 from Maldonado to be second but Hulkenberg would take this spot. Valtteri would go fastest with a 1m:38.094. But his time at the top would be brief as Rosberg went fastest with a 1m:37.099 with Alonso now second. Hamilton was on his lap and would set a 1m:37.287 to finish behind Rosberg. Felipe was down in seventh with a 1m:38.387 as Valtteri pitted. Ricciardo was sixth followed by Raikkonen. Felipe would also come in as Magnussen went fourth fastest with a 1m:38.047.

Team-mate Button would take fourth with a 1m:38.024. Valtteri and Felipe were currently sixth and ninth. With five minutes remaining drivers would start to return with Felipe first back out for Williams. Both Williams drivers were to come out on new soft tyres, as Valtteri took to the track. Rosberg was back out as Valtteri went fastest in sector one. Perez was now tenth while Felipe would also be on a very quick lap to finish third with a 1m:37.347. Felipe had lost time when he locked up at Turn twelve. Valtteri would finish with a 1m:37.499 to be fourth. The period would come to an end as Rosberg would go fastest in the first two sectors. He would set a 1m:36.290 to be 0.997 ahead of Hamilton. Ricciardo was now fifth followed by Alonso, Button, Magnussen, Raikkonen, and Sutil tenth. This would be the first time Sutil had made it into the top ten.

Those not making the cut were Maldonado, Perez, Hulkenberg, and Kvyat. The top ten would be Rosberg followed by Hamilton, Felipe, Valtteri, Ricciardo, Alonso, Button, Magnussen, Raikkonen, and Sutil.

The final twelve minute period would commence with Ricciardo out first. Both Valtteri and Felipe would come out with everyone except Sutil out on the track. It was expected that Sutil would do a single run as Ricciardo completed his lap to set a 1m:38.120. The drivers would be swapping fastest sector times as Valtteri and Rosberg were on quick laps. Valtteri would set a 1m:36.906 to be quickest with Button now second. Felipe would set a 1m:37.359 to be second. But Rosberg would move to the top with a 1m:36.282. Hamilton could only manage a 1m:36.443 to be second. Valtteri was now third and Felipe fourth. Button was now fifth followed by Magnussen, Alonso, Ricciardo, and Raikkonen. Sutil had yet to set a time as both Williams drivers pitted.

Rosberg would ask for his front wing to be checked as he had hit the kerb a little bit hard. The track was now empty but after a short break Ricciardo would come back out for his second run. Valtteri and Raikkonen had come out followed by Rosberg and Hamilton. Felipe was also back out on the track with two and a half minutes remaining. All ten drivers were out on the track with drivers backing off the find clear track. Rosberg would go fastest in sector one while below him drivers were setting personal bests. The period would come to an end as Ricciardo moved into fourth with a 1m:37.244. Rosberg would set a 1m:36.067 to secure his pole position. Hamilton would not improve to remain second. Valtteri was still third with Felipe fourth having been able to move ahead of Ricciardo in his last lap, 1m:37.205.

Ricciardo would be fifth followed by Alonso, Button, Magnussen, Raikkonen, and Sutil tenth. Valtteri would thank his team for a "really nice and solid qualifying". With the Williams drivers third and fourth it was looking very good for the team to secure another good result come Sunday's race.