Team Australia rookie Simon Pagenaud has posted the second fastest time in opening qualifying for the Bavaria Champ Car Grand Prix in Assen, Holland today.
Pagenaud held provisional pole for much of the session, only to be eclipsed by Justin Wilson in the closing moments of qualifying, leaving the Frenchman with second fastest in the #15 Aussie Vineyards Team Australia DP01.
Today’s qualifying session was effected by wet weather, making tyre choice and set-up crucial. Will Power selected the Bridgestone ‘black’ compound tyres for qualifying, a decision that resulted in only eighth fasest for the Australian.
Power and Pagenaud will have the opportunity to improve tomorrow when final qualifying for the Bavaria Champ Car Grand Prix is staged at the Assen circuit.
Justin Wilson secured a front row starting position for this weekend’s 11th round of the Champ Car World Series with the fastest time in opening qualifying today, ahead of Pagenaud and fellow rookie Graham Rahal.
WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY …
Will Power – #5 Aussie Vineyards Team Australia DP01
“We went back and forth on the tyres and lost a bit of time there and unfortunately we didn’t have the pace today either, ” said Power.
“It’s great circuit, but unfortunately the weather caused the problem. Hopefully it’s dry tomorrow and we can qualify better.
“We just need to get on top of it tonight, but I know we can, the Team Australia guys do a great job, so I’m confident for tomorrow. ”
Simon Pagenaud – #15 Aussie Vineyards Team Australia DP01
“We had a fantastic car from the beginning to the end but it just was that I got blocked in the last two laps, ” said Pagenaud.
“I couldn’t make a lap at the end. It was a bit of a shame because Team Australia gave me a really good car and I can’t thank them enough.
“I had a blast out there. It is a really great track, lots of fun and I hope we will be able to make it tomorrow. ”
Derrick Walker – Team Australia Co-Owner
“Well, it was a crazy qualifying session where we were all chasing the weather, unfortunately Simon got pipped right there at the end by Justin Wilson, otherwise he was looking for a great front row start, ” said Walker.
“He had a good Aussie Vineyards car and was driving really well. The conditions changed and caught us one lap less than Wilson.
“We didn’t have Will’s car quite the way we needed to run in the wet, so we really weren’t in contention, but that’s part of the first day experience. ”
Craig Gore – Team Australia Co-Owner
“This was a great effort by Simon and the Aussie Vineyards team today, ” said Gore.
“It was a shame that Wilson set a quicker time in the final stages of the session, because the guaranteed front row start is a big bonus.
“Will didn’t get things right today with the changing weather conditions but looking at the timesheets shows that he was not the only one.
“Team Australia will be giving it everything tomorrow to make sure we are as close the front of the grid as possible, because passing is going to be tough this weekend. ”
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