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Lotus Racing CEO Riad Asmat and the Malaysian
flag brought a touch of luck to the team today
at the Belgian Grand Prix Qualifying session as
Heikki Kovalainen made it through to his second
appearance of the season in Q2, and finished the
session 16th. Jarno Trulli just missed out on Q2
after yellow flags at the end of an action
packed Q1 forced him to back off, robbing him of
the chance of joining his team-mate in the
afternoon’s second session. With the Mercedes
cars of both Schumacher and Rosberg having to
take grid penalties, and Timo Glock’s Virgin
being dropped five places after the session, the
Lotus Racing cars will provisionally line up
14th and 15th, and with the T127s carrying the
Malaysian flag on the engine covers at Spa to
celebrate Malaysian Independence Day on 31st
August, the team are looking forward to putting
in a performance tomorrow to give all their fans
in Malaysia and around the world something to
cheer for in the unpredictable Belgian
conditions.
Heikki Kovalainen (Chassis T127-01) FP3: 14 laps,
best time 1.51.384, 21st / QUALIFYING: 16th,
1.50.980, 12 laps “It was a great qualifying for
us today, the second time we made it into Q2
like we did in Malaysia. It’s a shame Jarno
didn’t make it through as well, and I was just
ahead of him, but the team did a great job today
and they should all be very pleased. We made the
right calls on tyres in both sessions and in the
second session it was really about fighting with
Timo, and we nailed him so we achieved what we
set out to do today. I think we should be in
pretty good shape tomorrow against our direct
competitors, and those just ahead, as it looks
like the lower downforce circuits suit us, so I
hope we have mixed conditions tomorrow and can
give it our best shot.”
Jarno Trulli (Chassis T127-04) FP3: 14 laps,
best time 1.50.600, 19th / QUALIFYING: 18th,
2.01.491, 9 laps “I’m obviously disappointed
that I didn’t make it into Q2, but
congratulations to Heikki and the team for
putting in such a good performance. It was a
pretty crazy session, and it started badly for
me when di Grassi lost his car - I was quicker
than him, and I couldn’t avoid going over him.
If he had let me by in the first place when I
was much quicker, then it wouldn’t have happened.
It’s difficult in changeable conditions,
everyone gets surprised, but we’re still in a
pretty good position tomorrow, so we’ll do our
best to reward the fans.”
Mike Gascoyne, Chief Technical Officer: “In the
end it was a very good session for us today.
It’s disappointing we didn’t get Jarno into Q2
as well, but the yellow flags at the end of his
final run held him up, otherwise I’m sure he’d
have joined Heikki in Q2. Heikki did a great job
in spite of the conditions, and he managed to
get the best out the car. We’ll be in our best
starting positions tomorrow and we’re all
looking forward to a good strong race. We’re
clearly the quickest of the new boys, and
tomorrow will be all about getting Jarno up with
Heikki, getting both cars across the finish line,
and making good on the performance we’ve put in
today.”
Riad Asmat, Chief Executive Officer: “I’m
absolutely delighted, for the whole team, and
for everyone who supports us around the world.
We managed to get into Q2 for the second time in
our first season which is pretty fantastic by
any measure. It’s a shame Jarno didn’t get in as
well, but that’s what happens in racing, and
this is a really good start after the summer
break. It’s important to remember that we’re a
small team, with limited resources, and I think
that what we have achieved today, and will
continue to achieve, is the stuff dreams are
made of.
“I’m lucky enough that Tony deputised me for
this weekend in place of him who unfortunately
can’t be here, but I think Tony, Din and Nasa,
our Deputy Team Principals, all wish they were
here - that’s for sure! They’ve all sent a load
of messages, and they’re delighted with how we
performed today. Tony’s passed on his
congratulations to everyone and has said that
the guys have done a great job today. He, Din
and Nasa are here in spirit without a doubt –
and we wouldn’t be here in Spa without them.
“To top it all, it’s the Malaysian Independence
day on the 31st, so it’s just perfect. For
everyone in Malaysia Hari Merdeka is a really
important day, and I’m just really proud to see
our cars carry the flag today, and to have done
so well.”
Tony Fernandes, Team Principal: “This is a very
special day for me. It’s funny how things pan
out. By me not being there Riad deputised for me
and what a story! Riad has gone from a very
special assistant for many years to a CEO, and
now he’s on the pitwall commanding and directing.
That is Lotus Racing. We make the unbelievable
believable, and we show that you have to keep
dreaming. Whatever happens tomorrow, it doesn't
really matter. What matters today is Riad, Mike,
Heikki, Jarno and the whole team who pulled out
an amazing performance. Well done to all.” |
