Brazilian GP: Williams lock out row two in Qualifying

The final practice session for the 2014 Brazilian Grand Prix had see the Williams Martini drivers finish in third and fourth, just 0.4 behind the Mercedes front runners. For Felipe Massa being on pole is something that he is use to at this circuit. With the number of cars down to eighteen four cars would be eliminated after the first period of qualifying followed by another four in the second, leaving ten cars for the final period. It was still dry at the track despite it being reported that rain was a possibility. Those who would get into the final period will have to start the race on those tyres that they set their quickest time in the second period. Perez will have to take a seven place grid penalty for his accident with Sutil at the last round. The first eighteen minute period would commence and it would be Sutil out first running on the soft tyre.

He was joined by Gutierrez also on the soft tyre as more drivers took to the track. Ricciardo and Kvyat were out on the option tyre as well. Vergne and Hulkenberg were next out also on the soft tyre as Sutil set a 1m:13.401 to record the first time. A 1m:13.166 from Gutierrez as both Williams cars also came out. Both of the Williams cars were on the medium tyre as Kvyat set a 1m:12.555 to be quickest with Ricciardo second. Vergne would go fastest with a 1m:12.553 with only Vettel yet to come out. Hulkenberg would go fastest with a 1m:12.491. Both McLaren's were on the medium tyre joining Williams. A 1m:11.834 from Valtteri with Felipe quickest with a 1m:11.570. Hamilton would go quicker with a 1m:11.223 but Rosberg would also use the soft tyre to good effect to set a new quickest time with a 1m:10.693.

Both Williams drivers would pit with Hulkenberg now fifth with an improved lap time of 1m:11.848. Hamilton was on a quicker lap going quicker with a 1m:10.457 to lead Rosberg. Alonso was now third with a time of 1m:11.558 as we now had the majority of the field back in their pits. Magnussen was seventh running on the medium tyre with Gutierrez eighth followed by Raikkonen and Kvyat. Both Mercedes cars had pitted as Raikkonen moved up to sixth. Magnussen was back out on the soft tyre while team-mate Button moved up to third with a 1m:11.097. Magnussen was now fourth with Felipe and Valtteri now sixth and seventh. There was now four minutes remaining as Sutil moved up to tenth. Gutierrez was faster and would move up to fifth with a 1m:11.520. Kvyat would also improved to move into fifth with a 1m:11.423. Williams would respond to the rush of quicker times with Valtteri coming back out.

Felipe would also come out currently in eighth and Valtteri tenth. Both were on the soft tyre and Felipe would go fastest in sector one. Valtteri was setting personal best sector times and would move up to third with a 1m:10.832. Felipe would set a personal best in sector two and would finish his lap to go third, 1m:10.602, seeing Valtteri now fourth. Button and Magnussen were now fifth and sixth. With the end of the period those not making the cut were Grosjean, Vergne, Perez, and Maldonado. The top ten would finish with Rosberg fastest followed by Hamilton, Felipe, Valtteri, Button, Magnussen, Raikkonen, Kvyat, Gutierrez, and Alonso tenth.

The second period of qualifying would commence with clouds still overhead and it would be Hulkenberg first out joined by Gutierrez. Sutil was next out all on used soft tyres. Alonso would leave the pits followed by Hamilton. A 1m:12.306 from Hulkenberg as Rosberg and Raikkonen also come out. Gutierrez would set a 1m:12.331 to be second as Sutil ran off the track and onto the grass but he was able to continue. Felipe would be first out for Williams as both Sauber's pitted. Felipe was on used soft tyre as Hamilton went fastest with a 1m:10.712 with Raikkonen now second. Rosberg would go even quicker with a 1m:10.303 with Alonso down in sixth. Valtteri was now out on the track joined by both McLaren's, and Vettel. Felipe would set a 1m:10.859 to be third. with Alonso improving to be fifth. Both Mercedes cars had pitted with seven minutes remaining. Valtteri was able to move ahead of Felipe with a 1m:10.758 seeing the Williams cars third and fourth.

Button was now fifth and Vettel sixth. Magnussen would finish his lap moving up to sixth with a 1m:11.211. Felipe would pit joined by Valtteri. Sutil, Kvyat, and Ricciardo had yet to se a time with five minutes remaining. The track was now empty with Hulkenberg coming back out for his second run. he was joined by Alonso and Raikkonen, with all three on new soft tyres. Hulkenberg would lock up at Turn one with Ricciardo coming out for his run. Both Sauber's were also out on the track while both Williams cars would also come out. They were also on new soft tyres for this run as Alonso moved up to seventh from ninth. Raikkonen would go sixth with Magnussen now seventh.

Ricciardo would start his flying lap as the period came to an end. Kvyat would not set a time in this period as Felipe went fastest in sector one. Ricciardo would go seventh, 1m:11.208. Valtteri would go second with a 1m:10.421 but Felipe would secure this spot with a 1m:10.343 with the Williams pair splitting the Mercedes pair. With the end of the period those not making the cut were Gutierrez, Hulkenberg, Sutil, and Kvyat. The top ten was Rosberg followed by Felipe, Valtteri, Hamilton, Button, Vettel, Raikkonen, Magnussen, and Alonso. A great result with both Williams cars taking the fight to Mercedes.