Formula 1: Best qualifying result – rookie Guanyu Zhou getting stronger

Frederic Vasseur, Teamchef: “The conditions on the track were very challenging, because the rain that set in at times made it really difficult to see the limit. Guanyu showed a very mature performance despite it being only his second F1 qualifying session on a wet track and made it into Q3 for the second straight season. His 9th place finish is a career best and he is in a good position to pick up points tomorrow. Valtteri had a slightly more complicated day: he looked good in Q1 but in Q2 getting the tires up to temperature proved difficult and he had to settle for P12. Still, we know how strong our car is in the race and we expect to be able to make up some ground tomorrow, especially when it’s dry. Our goal is to finish in the points again with both cars.”

Valtteri Bottas (qualifier 12th): “It was a difficult day for me: the conditions were tricky, changing all the time and it felt like the track was a little bit different every lap. Q1 was good but coming into Q2 and there was more water on the track I struggled to get the tires up to temperature. I was sliding around and the car kept bucking, causing me to lose even more temperature. Still, we’re in P12 and the points aren’t far off: we’re expecting a dry race tomorrow and I’m confident that we can still improve a little. Our car is pretty strong in the races, so we can fight.”

Guanyu Zhou (Quali-Neunter): “Qualifying was a challenge but I would say I didn’t do too badly for a rookie! I drove in the wet for the first time in Formula 1 at Silverstone. The conditions were very different from yesterday but today was good, I felt like I was making progress and improving my time lap by lap. It was particularly difficult between Q2 and Q3 when it got wet and there was a lot of standing water. But I was able to keep the car on track and I think I gave it my all today so I can be happy with the work that was done. It’s a great feeling to get into Q3 twice in a row. I feel like I’m developing as a Formula 1 driver and I’m very happy about that. I’m looking forward to tomorrow, the track should be dry and I think we have a chance to get some points, which is always our main goal. We have good potential, the field will be very close together, but I think both cars will be able to fight for points tomorrow.”

Frederic Vasseur, Teamchef: “The conditions on the track were very challenging, because the rain that set in at times made it really difficult to see the limit. Guanyu showed a very mature performance despite it being only his second F1 qualifying session on a wet track and made it into Q3 for the second straight season. His 9th place finish is a career best and he is in a good position to pick up points tomorrow. Valtteri had a slightly more complicated day: he looked good in Q1 but in Q2 getting the tires up to temperature proved difficult and he had to settle for P12. Still, we know how strong our car is in the race and we expect to be able to make up some ground tomorrow, especially when it’s dry. Our goal is to finish in the points again with both cars.”

Valtteri Bottas (qualifier 12th): “It was a difficult day for me: the conditions were tricky, changing all the time and it felt like the track was a little bit different every lap. Q1 was good but coming into Q2 and there was more water on the track I struggled to get the tires up to temperature. I was sliding around and the car kept bucking, causing me to lose even more temperature. Still, we’re in P12 and the points aren’t far off: we’re expecting a dry race tomorrow and I’m confident that we can still improve a little. Our car is pretty strong in the races, so we can fight.”

Guanyu Zhou (Quali-Neunter): “Qualifying was a challenge but I would say I didn’t do too badly for a rookie! I drove in the wet for the first time in Formula 1 at Silverstone. The conditions were very different from yesterday but today was good, I felt like I was making progress and improving my time lap by lap. It was particularly difficult between Q2 and Q3 when it got wet and there was a lot of standing water. But I was able to keep the car on track and I think I gave it my all today so I can be happy with the work that was done. It’s a great feeling to get into Q3 twice in a row. I feel like I’m developing as a Formula 1 driver and I’m very happy about that. I’m looking forward to tomorrow, the track should be dry and I think we have a chance to get some points, which is always our main goal. We have good potential, the field will be very close together, but I think both cars will be able to fight for points tomorrow.”

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