Nico's Singapore Blog : Saturday

Posted on Sunday 27 Sep 2009 and tagged with rosberg, blog, singapore.

How good was that? I was really pleased with today’s qualifying result, and it was such a pleasant contrast to Monza two weeks ago, where I qualified 18! We knew our FW31 would be more competitive in higher downforce trim this weekend and it was great to go out there and prove it.

The red flag in Q3 left me a bit frustrated after the session because it meant I had to abort my final lap of the session, which would have been quicker. But that might turn out to be a blessing because I think I could have pipped Vettel for second place, but not Lewis for pole, and I’m probably better off in third place on the clean side of the grid.  

The highlight of qualifying was my fastest lap in Q2, which, for much of the session was 0.5s faster than anyone else. It was the best lap I’ve every driven around the Marina Bay circuit because I nailed every corner. The car was particularly strong through sector 2, the twisty middle section of the lap, and I was 0.3s up on anyone through there. I’d clearly rattled Lewis with my pace because he claimed that I must have missed the chicane to be that quick!

It was nice to be back in the post-qualifying press conference for the first time since Malaysia ’06, which was my second race in F1! A lot of the journalists asked me what I expect from the race tomorrow and all I was prepared to say was that I don’t intend to go backwards. How far forwards I can go, only time will tell, but I think my chances will be helped if there isn’t a Safety Car.

Now, though, it’s 0300 and I’m heading back to the Ritz Carlton with my girlfriend Vivian. Got to get my beauty sleep before the race.