Rubens Barrichello has taken pole position for the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday in a rainy and frequently stopped qualifying session. The session was rained out after Q1 which saw Sebastian Vettel place no better than 16th on the grid for the race. Things didn’t get better for the title contenders as Jenson Button failed to make it through Q2 and will slot 14th on the grid. The rain played a massive role in today’s qualifying session but the key moment was late in Q2 with a drying track and the gamble to try intermediates. This proved good for Williams and bad for Brawn GP as they stayed on full-wets.
The day was a day for teammates as Red Bull’s Mark Webber looked very strong finishing in P2 and Brawn GP driver Rubens Barrichello scored a pole position for his home grand prix thrilling the crowd who remained glued tot he stands even during the most torrential rains.
If I am honest, I am beginning to think that Rubens has the best chance of winning the title based on second half performance. Button stormed to six victories from seven on the trot with a trick diffuser at the beginning of the year but has only scored one podium finish since the British Grand Prix. A look at the grid positions for both Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button says a lot:
Jenson Button 1 1 5 4 1 1 2 6 3 8 5 14 6 12 7
RubBarrichello 2 8 4 6 3 3 3 2 2 12 3 4 5 5 5
This weekend bodes well for the Brazilian but he also doesn’t have the best luck at this track. If Sebastian Vettel has any chance of remaining in touch with the title, he’ll have to pull a performance that is reminiscent to he fellow countryman and 7-time champion Michael Schumacher in order to do it.
1. Barrichello Brawn-Mercedes (B) 1:24.100 1:21.659 1:19.576
2. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:24.722 1:20.803 1:19.668
3. Sutil Force India-Mercedes (B) 1:24.447 1:20.753 1:19.912
4. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:24.621 1:20.635 1:20.097
5. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:23.047 1:21.378 1:20.168
6. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:24.591 1:20.701 1:20.250
7. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:22.828 1:20.368 1:20.326
8. Kubica BMW-Sauber (B) 1:23.072 1:21.147 1:20.631
9. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:23.161 1:20.427 1:20.674
10. Alonso Renault (B) 1:24.842 1:21.657 1:21.422
11. Kobayashi Toyota (B) 1:24.335 1:21.960
12. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:24.773 1:22.231
13. Grosjean Renault (B) 1:24.394 1:22.477
14. Button Brawn-Mercedes (B) 1:24.297 1:22.504
15. Liuzzi Force India-Mercedes (B) 1:24.645
16. Vettel Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:25.009
17. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:25.052
18. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:25.192
19. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber (B) 1:25.515
20. Fisichella Ferrari (B) 1:40.703
