Junkie Jabber  Junkie Jabber Williams F1 Hungary Review
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Williams F1 Hungary Review |
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Tuesday, 28 July 2009 |
Synopsis
Another package of upgrades for the Hungarian Grand Prix, including front
and rear wings and other bodywork changes, enabled the AT&T Williams
team to maintain competitive form throughout the weekend. Both cars ran
within the top five during Friday’s practice sessions, giving the team
reasonable confidence about prospects for Saturday’s qualifying session.
In the event, both cars progressed comfortably into Q2 and Kazuki recorded
the third quickest low fuel time, putting him through to the final ten for
the third time this year and marking a notable improvement in his
qualifying performance. Q3 provided both drivers with only four laps of
opportunity to claim an optimum grid slot, in the event Nico achieved his
target of P5, but Kazuki was unable to derive the maximum potential from
his car. However, both cars had secured grid positions on the clean side
of the track.
The team followed a conventional two stop strategy with both cars for the
race and ran option-option-prime tyre selections, consistent with most of
the grid. Of considerable tactical importance on Sunday was Nico’s
ability to stay ahead of the KERS powered car of Kovalainen. His strategy
was predicated on keeping the sixth placed Finn, who was carrying one
extra lap of fuel and likely to be slower in the first stint, behind him.
In the event, the McLaren had the stronger start but Nico continued his
strong run of opening lap form and was able to re-pass Kovalainen into
turn one, bringing his race prospects to life. A short delay of around 1.5
seconds in Nico’s first pitstop was costly, but he still exited the pits
in front of Mark Webber. Nico did not hold the position, but he was not
threatened thereafter in a clean and confident run through his three
stints to fourth place, claiming the third fastest lap of the day in the
process. Nico’s points tally has promoted him to fifth place in the
Drivers’ Championship.
Team-mate Kazuki Nakajima had more limited opportunities given his start
position. A more fruitful race outcome might have been possible if he had
been able to hold Jenson Button after overtaking him at the start. With
Button back in front of him and holding him up during the first stint, the
range of opportunity to improve on his P9 start position was limited, and
he ran to the flag without incident and just outside the points.
Q&A With Sam Michael, Technical Director
Q. Did Nico's fourth place in the Hungarian Grand Prix meet expectations?
SM: Yes. Before the race we knew it would be difficult to
stay in front of the KERS cars going into turn one so Nico did well to
exit the first corner in front of one of the McLarens as it enabled him to
cover a lot of ground in the first stint. We cleared the Red Bull after
the first pitstop, but Mark Webber managed to make it back past Nico which
ultimately set the tone for the second stint.
Q: Nico had a problem during his first stop. What caused it and
could he have finished third without it?
SM: We lost a lot of time during Nico’s first pitstop
and then as well during the laps proceeding it. The two issues combined
cost us a place to one of the McLarens, but we recovered that during the
second round of stops.
Q: Nico set the third fastest race lap. What can be read into
that?
SM: The FW31 was again competitive throughout the race. We now
just have to keep bringing developments to the car to keep it that way!
Q: Did you have any tyre wear issues on either car?
SM: No, no tyre issues on either car.
Q: Kazuki just missed out on scoring a point. What were the key
moments of his race?
SM: Kazuki had a great opening lap but then lost a position to
Button at the start of his second lap. Unfortunately, the Brawn was
heavier and slower during the first stint so Kazuki's race was compromised
from the outset. It also allowed other drivers behind him who were running
longer to close the gap.
Q: How will the two week summer shutdown affect your preparations
for the European Grand Prix?
SM: We will be working hard this week to prepare the cars for
Valencia and then the two week enforced shutdown will commence. It won't,
however, affect our preparations for the next race.
Q: Do you expect the FW31 to be competitive at Valencia?
SM: Yes. Our performance was reasonable at Valencia last year
because it's a street circuit. With the improvements we’ve made this
year, we expect to be competitive again. However, it's an ideal circuit
for KERS.
Race Results
| Driver |
Grid Position |
Pit Stops |
Best Lap |
Result |
| N Rosberg |
P5 |
2 (20, 49) |
1:22.468 (3rd) |
4th |
| K Nakajima |
P9 |
2 (22,56) |
1:23.180 (11th) |
9th |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 28 July 2009 )
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