GPI 2016 Brazilian Grand Prix | Page 152

QUALIFYING REPORT Hamilton said afterwards, “Honestly I felt quite comfortable in qualifying as I have all weekend. Nico’s been going quicker and quicker but I’ve generally had it covered. This is the best I could have hoped for coming to Brazil. It’s always a track I’ve struggled at so I’m glad to be at the front.” Rosberg was clearly not perturbed, “It was exciting. It was very close. Lewis was marginally quicker in the end. Pole isn’t always the guy who wins the race so I’m still optimistic for tomorrow.” A win for Rosberg on race day will ensure that he is crowned 2016 Formula 1 world champion on the Interlagos podium. If Hamilton wins the title will be decided at the season finale. Best of the rest on the day was Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen who surprised the paddock with a smart final run which was good enough for third on the grid. Raikkonen said, “I struggled the whole qualifying. To be honest, the last lap was pretty average but it was enough for third, the Mercedes are bit a too far.” A mere 0.081 of a second behind the veteran was Red Bull teenager Max Verstappen with the fourth fastest time with Sebastian Vettel in the Ferrari a mere 100th of a second behind and Daniel Ricciardo in sixth in the other Red Bull.