OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Montr�al, Canada, Jun 12, 2010
LEWIS HAMILTON
- MP4-25A-04
- P3 programme: 1st, 1m16.058s, 15 laps
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Qualifying
- Q1: 1st, 1m15.889s (on Primes)
- Q2: 1st, 1m15.528s (on Primes)
- Q3: 1st, 1m15.165s (on Options)
�I grazed the barriers at the end of P3, which meant my mechanics had to change the right-hand-side suspension ahead of qualifying. Watching them working so quickly yet so efficiently to fix the car was amazing � like watching an orchestra playing! Really, really impressive. Before I went out this afternoon, I told them that I reckon I owed them pole position for all their efforts � so I was on a bit of a mission right from the beginning of Q1.
�At the end of my fastest lap, it was such a fantastic feeling crossing the line � the team came on the radio through Turn Two and told me I�d got pole. I knew it was a good lap � but, when they told me it was the best lap, it just brought back so many memories of my previous times here. It was exactly the same ecstatic feeling as when I took my very first pole position here in 2007.
�I think it�s going to be an interesting race tomorrow � I hope it stays sunny and that the track gets better. The Red Bulls are in an interesting position, because they�ll start tomorrow on the Prime tyre. They�ll have to use the Option at some stage, obviously, so it will be an interesting one. If there�s a Safety Car, it could have a very big influence on the result of the race.
�This track, this city, this country, these people � it all works out the best for me. I love it. It�s almost on a par with the feeling I get racing in the UK. I always have a good time in Montreal, the people are so friendly, and I have so many great supporters here. In fact, coasting to a halt on the slow-down lap was really enjoyable. I got to wave to all the fans � and I�d say it was a unique experience, in fact.�
JENSON BUTTON
- MP4-25A-03
- P3 programme: 8th, 1m16.699s (+0.641s), 16 laps
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Qualifying
- Q1: 6th, 1m16.371s (on Primes)
- Q2: 6th, 1m15.742s (on Options)
- Q3: 5th, 1m15.520s (on Options)
�I was happy with my Q3 lap, but I couldn�t touch Lewis � it was a phenomenal lap from him. He�s qualified on pole every time he�s been here, so he�s obviously a specialist around this place. Fifth place isn�t where I�d ideally like to be, but I gave it everything and I couldn�t have gone any quicker.
�It�s good to see that some teams were running different tyres in Q3 � that�s the first time that�s happened this year. Red Bull set their fastest laps on Primes, so it�s going to be an interesting start to the race, seeing if they can overtake. The Prime is the quicker tyre, but they�re going to have to change to the Option at some point during the race. And if they get stuck behind Lewis in the early laps, then I�m sure they�re going to get frustrated.
�So, overall, I think it�s going to be a good race � both fascinating and fun � and strategy will be very important: it will be all about tyre management, so going flat-out every lap might not be the quickest way to get to the end of the race in the shortest possible time.�
MARTIN WHITMARSH
Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
�Today we saw a stunning and dramatic lap from Lewis to snatch pole position in the last seconds of qualifying. He loves this circuit � he scored his first ever grand prix pole position and his first ever grand prix victory here in 2007, of course � and, having won in Turkey two weeks ago, he�s very motivated to continue his winning run here in Canada.
�He did his time on the Option tyre, and will therefore start on it tomorrow. Clearly, it�s less durable than the Prime, but you have to use it some time and we think we�ve got a strong strategy for the race.
�Jenson did a very solid job, too, securing fifth place on tomorrow�s grid, and is also well placed to score plenty of points tomorrow. He�s consistently shown himself to be an extremely fast and combative driver in race conditions � and, all things considered, we�re very happy with how things are shaping up for tomorrow.
�Finally, I want to add two more things. First, I want to say �Bravo!� to our mechanics, who did such a brilliant job to get Lewis�s car ready for qualifying in so short a time. And, second, it�s fantastic that we�re racing in North America once again. So let�s hope Formula 1 puts on a brilliant show tomorrow for the Formula 1 fans of not only Canada but of all of North America, too.�
* Official photos and info courtesy of VODAFONE MCLAREN MERCEDES *
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