Happy Karthikeyan Wanted More Rain
Narain Karthikeyan was delighted with his qualifying performance after putting his Jordan in 11th position ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix
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."
Previous article
Fisichella 'Unlucky' with Conditions
Next article
Alonso Stays Calm despite Position
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Drivers | Narain Karthikeyan |
Why Russell was right to be wrong about Bottas after Imola F1 clash
George Russell and Valtteri Bottas' collision at Imola on Sunday prompted fury in the Formula 1 paddock. But Russell's carefully-worded heartfelt statement later, acknowledging that his initial response was wrong, proved the right move
How Verstappen and Hamilton’s Imola clash sets the tone for F1’s 2021 title fight
In Max Verstappen's Formula 1 career to date, he has been cast as the 'pretender', an acknowledged top-line performer without the car to regularly challenge Lewis Hamilton. But that no longer applies in 2021, and the start to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was the most telling signal yet of what we can expect from their duel this year
How “overwhelming” McLaren move has given Ricciardo a new verve
Daniel Ricciardo has found a new lease of life at McLaren – a move that’s been years in the making, as he explains to STUART CODLING…
The German legend who raced and beat Nuvolari
Ninety years ago, Rudolf Caracciola became the first non-Italian to win the epic Mille Miglia. We look at how he stacks up to the most famous pre-war ace Tazio Nuvolari, one of the drivers he beat on that day in 1931
How 2021's midfielders have taken lessons from F1's top teams
Formula 1’s latest Imola adventure turned into an expensive trip for many teams due to several crashes throughout the weekend. While balancing the books is an added factor in 2021 with the cost cap, a few midfield teams have cashed in early on development investments
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Driver Ratings
A frantic wet race at Imola produced plenty of excitement and drama as drivers scrabbled for grip. Amid the hatful of mistakes and incidents that ensued, who kept their noses cleanest?
How the Emilia Romagna GP result hinged on three crucial saves
Rain before the start of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix promised to spice up the action, and the race certainly delivered on that. Max Verstappen got the best launch to win from Lewis Hamilton, but both got away with mistakes that could have had serious consequences
The back-bedroom world-beater that began a new F1 era
The first in a line of world beaters was designed in a back bedroom and then constructed in a shed. STUART CODLING recalls the Tyrrell 001
