Hungarian F1 Grand Prix 2013: Saturday's Qualifying Report - Sergio Perez P9, Jenson Button P13

SERGIO PEREZ
- MP4-28A-01
- FP3: 3rd, 1m21.052s (+0.322s), 10 laps
- Qualifying
- Q1: 16th, 1m21.612s (on Options)
- Q2: 10th, 1m20.545s (on Options)
- Q3: 9th overall, 1m22.398s (on Primes)

�First of all, I want to thank all the guys on the team � they did an amazing job to get the car turned around between FP3 and Q1 this afternoon. It was quite a big shunt but we still didn�t lose any track-time � that was really impressive, so thanks guys.

�At the beginning of Q1, I still felt a little bit uncomfortable with the car, which is why I only just made it through to Q2. However, my Q2 lap was quite good � we�d made a lot of changes to the car overnight � so I�m hopeful that we may have a better car for the race than we�ve had for some time.

�Given our pace � we knew we weren�t going to qualify in the top five � we opted to run the Prime in Q3. That tyre choice ought to give us a better strategy for the race tomorrow.

�We�ll be the first car starting on Primes, so I think we�re in a reasonable position for tomorrow.�

JENSON BUTTON
- MP4-28A-03
- FP3: 9th, 1m21.499s (+0.769s), 15 laps
- Qualifying:
- Q1: 7th, 1m21.131s (on Options)
- Q2: 13th overall, 1m20.777s (on Options)
- Q3: -

�When we run fresh rubber, I can�t get enough front-end in the car � we�re maxed out � so I�m struggling. In a way, that�s a positive � because it means we�ve introduced downforce to the rear of the car.

�And hopefully that situation will change for the race, when you can play around with things in the cockpit a little more, and there�s generally less rear grip for everyone.

�I�m a little disappointed as I�d hoped for a bit more here. I think that�s because it�s been difficult to balance the car � but, hopefully, we�ll show a little bit more pace in the race.

�I�m sure we can still have fun tomorrow.�

MARTIN WHITMARSH - Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

�Clearly, although you want track position around a circuit such as this, the two days of practice have shown us that the Option tyre won�t last for too long in the race tomorrow � so, unless they can get clear of the traffic, the Option runners might encounter some problems.

�Checo did a good job � he�ll be the first of the Prime runners. We knew the Prime would probably be about a second and a half slower [than the Option], so Checo qualified in about the position we�d expected.

�I must also add that the mechanics did an absolutely magnificent job to get Checo�s car turned around ahead of qualifying. His accident in the dying seconds of FP3 could hardly have come at a less opportune juncture, yet they threw themselves into the job � in difficult, hot and sweaty conditions � and pulled through with a few minutes to spare. Indeed, Checo lost not even a second of track time, as our strategy for both cars had always been to head out towards the latter half of Q1.

�For Jenson, P13 wasn�t quite what he�d expected � and his Q2 lap wasn�t quite enough to get him through to Q3. Still, both he and Checo are strong and determined racers and they�ll be giving it their all tomorrow.

�As usual, the Hungarian Grand Prix will be a long, stiflingly hot and very difficult affair � given the two-hour duration of the race, and the difficult, circuitous nature of the track, much can happen tomorrow.

�I�m therefore looking forward to an exciting race that will doubtless unravel in all manner of unpredictable ways � which will be great for drivers, teams, media and fans alike.�

~ Official photos and report courtesy of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes ~

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