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Australian Will Power has driven to a remarkable pole position for the final round of the Champ Car World Series at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City today.
Power is driving this weekend with two hairline fractures in his left wrist after an accident at the last round on the Gold Coast last month.
Despite the injury Power steered the #5 Aussie Vineyards Team Australia DP01 to the fastest time of the day in a scintillating performance that saw the Toowoomba-born driver over half a second faster than the next best driver. The time also broke the lap record for the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
This is Power’s fifth pole position for the season after previously topping qualifying in Las Vegas, Houston, Edmonton and his home race in Australia on the streets of Surfers Paradise.
Four time series champion Sebastien Bourdais will start tomorrow’s race from second on the grid alongside Power, with Dutchman Robert Doornbos in third.
Power’s Team Australia team-mate Simon Pagenaud will start from sixth on the grid in the #15 Aussie Vineyards Team Australia DP01, making him the second fastest rookie behind Doornbos in qualifying.
WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY …
Will Power – #5 Aussie Vineyards Team Australia DP01
“You only get one lap on the red tyres, ” said Power.
“I found a gap and did one lap. And that was the time. And it was tough in traffic. The red flag, which threw everyone into a bit of a limbo and everybody was going out at the last minute. But we got a lap in and the car is good.
“We have won about four or five poles this year, now we have to put it together in the race. We had some bad luck during the season, not really representative of our speed. So we’ll be looking for a win tomorrow.
“I found it harder to wear the brace on my wrist and it actually hurts it more with it on. The cracked bones are all right. It’s just where the ligament damage is that it hurts. The warmer it gets, the easier it is on the hand. It’s sore in the morning when it’s cold.
“I think the fast times had to do with the red tyres. Also this year it is quicker in the fast section. That’s where all the time is made up and that’s the difference. And with our cars, we had a really good balance in that session. ”
Simon Pagenaud – #15 Aussie Vineyards Team Australia DP01
“Today was much better, ” said Pagenaud.
“We finally sorted out the track, it’s a very tough track to understand, but the Aussie Vineyards car is really getting there, especially on the Bridgestone red tyres.
“I think we should have a good race tomorrow and it’s going to be special with the tyre wear. Qualifying is over now and we need to think about the race. I think we should be in good shape for tomorrow. ”
Derrick Walker – Team Australia Co-Owner
“Well Mexico is another one of those tracks that Will likes to drive and drives really well, ” said Walker.
“When you look at the circumstances that he came into Mexico with his fractured wrist and the close competition that there is in Champ Car, I think his lap time all things considered is a true testimony to his talent.
“The Aussie Vineyards car was fantastic and he knew how to get the most out of it and put great laps together, and the rest is history, all around good team effort.
“Simon struggled a little bit this morning, but the team never gave up on it, they reloaded and Simon did a very commendable sixth, for having never been here before.
“Overall great effort to the drivers and the team and I’m looking forward to tomorrow. ”
Craig Gore – Team Australia Co-Owner
“Will has put in a terrific effort today to get his fifth pole for the season, ” said Gore.
“He is as determined as he’s ever been to put the race in Surfers behind him and finish the year on a high in Mexico.
“It would mean a lot for Team Australia to come away with a strong result in Mexico to give us a good end to the season as we begin work towards next season.
“We have been very good in qualifying this year, now we need to get the job done in the race on Sunday. ”
SIMON PAGENAUD NOMINATED FOR GREG MOORE LEGACY AWARD
Team Australia rookie Simon Pagenaud has been nominated for the prestigious Greg Moore Legacy Award.
The Greg Moore Legacy Award allows the Champ Car organisation to honour the late great Canadian star who lost his life during the 1999 California 500, as well as pay tribute to its past.
Now in its eighth year, the award honours the driver “who most typifies Moore’s distinctive combination of on-track talent and dynamic personality” that led him to become a favourite among the fans, media and members of the Champ Car community.
The award winner is determined by a select board of Champ Car personnel, along with media and fan voting, with the honouree being chosen from a list of four nominees.
Also nominated for this year’s award are Justin Wilson, Graham Rahal and Champ Car Atlantic driver James Hinchcliffe..
RESULTS: Final Qualifying (Combined)
1. #5 Will Power 1:23.558 2. #1 Sebastien Bourdais 1:24.698 * 3. #14 Robert Doornbos 1:24.152 4. #22 Oriol Servia 1:24.324 5. #9 Justin Wilson 1:24.365 6. #15 Simon Pagenaud 1:24.394 7. #2 Graham Rahal 1:24.515 8. #3 Paul Tracy 1:24.608 9. #4 Dan Clarke 1:24.794 10. #7 David Martinez 1:24.888
* Bourdais will start second as a result of being the fastest qualifier in Friday’s provisional qualifying session.
2007 Champ Car World Series Points Standings After Round 13 of 14
1. #1 Sebastien Bourdais 333 2. #9 Justin Wilson 270 3. #14 Robert Doornbos 262 4. #5 Will Power 235 5. #2 Graham Rahal 220 6. #21 Neel Jani 218 7. #19 Bruno Junqueira 216 8. #15 Simon Pagenaud 213 9. #3 Oriol Servia 212 10. #8 Alex Tagliani 197
2007 Roshfrans Champ Car Rookie of the Year After Round 13 of 14
1. #14 Robert Doornbos 262 2. #2 Graham Rahal 220 3. #21 Neel Jani 218 4. #15 Simon Pagenaud 213 5. #22 Tristan Gommendy 140 6. #28 Ryan Dalziel 116 7. #29 Alex Figge 85 8. #42 Matt Halliday 18
