Japanese GP: No times in FP3 from Williams drivers
Nico returns to his pit
By Andrew Hooper
October 9 2010
Neither of the AT&T Williams drivers would set a time in the final Saturday practice session for the 2010 Japanese Grand Prix. The session would be run under heavy rain with rivers of water running across the track. The was now concern as to whether qualifying will be run as the terrible conditions were expected to continue.
Japanese GP Saturday
Practice
Saturday's
practice session at the Suzuka circuit would see the drivers come out with
the track covered by clouds and with rain falling. There were several places
on the circuit where there was rivers of water coming across the track. It
was expected that the race would be run under dry conditions but full wets
was the tyre of necessity for this session. Alguersuari was first out,
followed by di Grassi, Yamamoto, Glock and Senna. More drivers were coming
out including Massa, Kobayashi, and Schumacher, Webber, Rubens. Alonso had
also come out but would return to his pit after a slow lap. Button was now
out on the track along with Petrov and Trulli.
Drivers were reporting their concerns over aquaplaning while Button would
complete a second lap returning to his pit. Glock would spin at the Spoon
curve but was able to continue. The rain continued to fall and was even
heavier. With nearly twenty minutes of the session completed no times had
been set. Everyone was back in their pits except Alguersuari who would
eventually pit without setting a time. Rubens was in his pit looking very
relaxed out of his car. Hamilton would come out on an installation lap. He
would start a second lap as Alguersuari and Glock returned to the track.
Button would also return while Alguersuari would have a half spin but was
able to continue as he went across the grass.
Both McLaren's would pit as Alguersuari set a 1m:58.016 to record the first
time. Glock would join him with a 2m:07.497. The conditions look really
terrible as Alguersuari improved with a 1m:55.902. Glock would pit followed
by Alguersuari. With twenty five minutes remaining the track was again empty
as the conditions really got far worse. Nico Hulkenberg was out of his car
talking to Sam Michael. Buemi was the next driver to come out and he would
spin coming out of the final chicane. He would pit while Kubica would leave
the pit lane with just over ten minutes remaining. He would pit after a slow
lap. There were still rivers of water running down the track with six
minutes remaining. Ross Brawn would say that the conditions were just too
dangerous. Hamilton would return to the track running very slowly. He would
pit after one lap leaving the track empty again.
But once again it would be Alguersuari and Buemi who would return to the
track. They would complete a slow lap and would perform a practice start on
the grid and would then return to the pits. The session would come to an end
with just two times set while Rubens despite getting into his car did not
come out. With reports having the terrible conditions remaining for the rest
of the day there was now concerns as to how qualifying would be run.
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:55.902 9
2. Glock Virgin-Cosworth 2:07.497 6
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