Brazilian Grand Prix: Saturday Analysis

It was echoes of qualifying back in March for the Australian Grand Prix, as rain delays caused chaos once again in Brazil. While Q3 was delayed due to heavy rain, the session did eventually resume and Sebastian Vettel once again rose to the top of the pile, claiming his 45th career Pole in sublime fashion. His massive margin of 0.7 seconds to Nico Rosberg in P2 was truly remarkable - His margin of 1.1 seconds to Mark Webber in P4, even more-so. A ninth consecutive victory is on the cards, yet rain at Interlagos can spring the biggest of surprises.

US Grand Prix: Saturday Analysis

Qualifying for the second US Grand Prix to be held at the stunning COTA saw Red Bull dominate proceedings, with Sebastian Vettel pipping teammate Webber to a well deserved Pole Position. The remarkable fact was that Vettel pulled back a seemingly unassailable deficit of 0.4 seconds after a poor first and second sector to steal P1 with a flawless end to the lap. Best of the rest was Romain Grosjean in P3, while the Mercedes were disappointed and puzzled after an unexpectedly poor session.

Indian Grand Prix: Saturday Analysis

Predictable, inevitable, sublime - so many adjectives can be used to describe Sebastian Vettel's dominant Pole Position in New Delhi today. The German was at his usual best, as he controlled proceedings at the head of the timesheet. He was even able to abandon his final run as his initial time of a 1:24.119 was good enough to claim top spot from the Mercedes duo of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, who trailed by 0.7s. However, it is Vettel's teammate who could provide the greatest threat to the German tomorrow. Mark Webber set his Q3 time on the medium tyre, while still managing to line up a highly commendable P4. No one has ever won a race starting on the prime compound and while this is unlikely to change tomorrow, it will certainly provide intrigue to the race.
 

Japanese Grand Prix: Qualifying Analysis

Suzuka always provides red hot action, with today's qualifying session being no exception to the rule, in more ways than one. Sebastian Vettel was the overwhelming favourite to claim another Pole Position, however, a fundamental KERS issue derailed his FP3 session and returned to haunt him in qualifying. With the German faltering, his rivals tried to capitalize, with Mark Webber snatching Pole away from his teammate - The first time that Mark has outperformed Sebastian on a Saturday all season. All is not lost for Vettel though, as a P2 starting position could well prove prosperous tomorrow.

Korean Grand Prix: Saturday Analysis

Following a promising Friday, the paddock anticipated an interesting qualifying session, with both Red Bull's facing close competition from the Mercedes duo for Pole Position. However, it was a familiar figure in P1, as Sebastian Vettel claimed his third Pole Position in a row, edging out Lewis Hamilton, as the pair lock-out the front row once again. Mark Webber posted an impressive time good enough for P3, yet will only start P13, after his "taxi" incident in Singapore. Romain Grosjean will consequently start in P3 instead.

Hungarian Grand Prix: Saturday Analysis

Prior to today, it would have taken a brave man to bet against Sebastian Vettel for Pole Position at Hungary. His performance on Friday was seemingly invincible, yet his rivals returned to form today, as Mercedes finally managed to understand the new Pirelli construction, paving the way for Lewis Hamilton to record a third successive Pole. The Brit, who now draws level with the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio in terms of career poles, snatched P1 away from Sebastian Vettel in the dying moments of the session, while Nico Rosberg completed the Mercedes resurgence to qualify a respectable P4.

German Grand Prix: Saturday Analysis

For the second week in succession, Lewis Hamilton has smashed the lap record on his way to Pole Position. The Brit continued Mercedes' dominance in Qualifying, while initial examinations suggested a Red Bull Saturday resurgence. Both Vettel and Webber will look to heap pressure on Lewis early in tomorrow's race as the pair line up in P2 and P3. Meanwhile, Nico Rosberg was the victim of a strategic blunder by Mercedes, as the German dropped out of Qualifying at the Q2 stage. The option to start on primes is the silver lining.

British Grand Prix: Saturday Analysis

It was a super Saturday at the uncharacteristically sunny Silverstone, as Qualifying saw Lewis Hamilton claim his second Pole Position at the circuit, while Nico Rosberg made it another Mercedes front row lockout. Hamilton rightly stole the headlines with a spectacular lap of 1:29.607; He was the only man to set a time below the 1:30's so far this weekend. Meanwhile, Sebastian Vettel will be pleased to see his championship rivals faltering, as Fernando Alonso could only manage P10, while Kimi Raikkonen is placed just two positions ahead. However, it was a SILVER day at SILVERstone!

Canadian Grand Prix: Saturday Analysis

Following a heavily disrupted FP3, Qualifying was a relentless tale of intermediate runs, as teams failed to predict the unpredictable Montreal weather patterns. The circuit was damp throughout, which favored Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel, who put an end to Mercedes' dominant string of Pole Positions. However, Lewis Hamilton proved just how strong he is around Canada, lining up P2 and overcoming his persistent brake issues. Performance of the day goes to Valtteri Bottas, who not only made it into Q3, but qualified an awe inspiring P3.

Monaco Grand Prix: Saturday Analysis

A truly breathtaking Qualifying session brought about the expected conclusion. Nico Rosberg took his third consecutive pole position from his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton. The pair are optimistic of a good result tomorrow, however, they are far from expectant, as rivals prepare for what could be a one stop race. Mercedes will hope their long run evaluation work on Thursday will pay dividend tomorrow. Alonso has work to do from a troublesome P6 on the grid.

Spanish Grand Prix: Saturday Analysis

While Mercedes are known as the Silver Arrows, they are fast becoming a stealth squad, after Nico Rosberg stole another unexpected Pole Position in Barcelona, with teammate Lewis Hamilton locking out the front row. Following a highly underwhelming Friday, Mercedes justified their lack of short runs in yesterday's sessions. Undoubtedly  they are strong on Saturday's, however, their long run performance suggests that success tomorrow may be unlikely.

Chinese Grand Prix: Saturday Analysis

Strategy was always set to dictate Qualifying and while Q3 seemed to be anything but a spectacle for a time, the variation in tyre choice made for a captivating end to the Qualifying hour. Lewis Hamilton increased in confidence throughout the session, finishing with an inch perfect lap to take his first pole for Mercedes. Teammate Nico Rosberg threatened to make it a Mercedes front row lockout, before a mistake in the final corner curtailed his aspirations. He starts P4.