Happy Karthikeyan Wanted More Rain

The Jordan driver benefited from his early running to complete his flying lap when the weather conditions were still not at their worst.

A downpour hit Suzuka late in the session, meaning the quickest drivers had to run in very tricky conditions.

The Indian driver admitted he was hoping for more rain.

"I am really happy to qualify 11th as this is Jordan's best qualifying position this year," said Karthikeyan. "My lap was clean and I genuinely beat some teams, which are normally ahead of us, in the same weather conditions.

"I was also second this morning on full wet conditions. It is a pity the track was not wetter to use the extreme wet tyres in qualifying, as they worked pretty well this morning and they would have been of a bigger advantage.

"The conditions were quite tricky because the track was more slippery and greasy than this morning as there was not as much water. I did not want to push too hard in order not to make any mistakes and I am satisfied with my time. Let's see now what the weather will bring for the race tomorrow."

Karthikeyan's teammate Tiago Monteiro paid the price for the conditions, spinning on his flying lap and ending up in the gravel.

"It was tricky conditions and it was the first time we went on intermediate tyres," Monteiro said. "The grip was slippery but not too bad in the "S "s but then, when I selected second gear in Degner corner, the rear wheels locked and I lost the car.

"It is a shame and it is very annoying, especially as after that, the rain started again and I could have qualified in a good position. Mistakes happen and I haven't made too many this year. I am really sorry for the team. Now we have to think about the race and I am confident we have a good strategy for tomorrow."