Williams had everything during the rain streak qualifying session in Monaco.
Both their cars performed beautifully into the wet with Pastor Maldonado posting the quickest time in Q1 but as the track started to dry out the problems of the Williams FW35 started to resurface and in the end both Valtteri Bottas and Pastor Maldonado had to admit defeat and settle for positions inside the Q2.
Pastor Maldonado:
“We were quick in Q1 as I know this track very well and in damp conditions I know where to take risks. As it was getting dry the car wasn’t working as well though, as the front was locking quite a lot. I think the top ten was possible as there is some improvement, especially if it had stayed wet. It is looking good for the future though with the data we have gathered this weekend so far.”
Valtteri Bottas:
“The conditions were not good today as they were changing all the time. We made the most of what we had and although the car is not where we want it to be, we feel we’re in a good position in terms of knowing the development direction to go. The race will be difficult with some quick cars starting behind us, but I’m confident we can still push forward and gain some positions in tomorrow’s race.”
Mike Coughlan, Technical Director:
“It was a difficult qualifying managing the changeable conditions but the team did a good job to make the right calls as to when to switch onto new tyres. In the wet Pastor showed how good he can be around this circuit, posting the quickest time in Q1. Valtteri also did a great job to be ninth in Q1 in his first ever qualifying session here in Monaco. Unfortunately as the track dried we didn’t have the pace in the FW35 and with both cars running together at the end of the session on supersoft tyres they didn’t get the most out of their final laps. We have gathered lots of useful data here though and feel we have a good development direction to take forward.”
Info & Images: Williams F1 Team
