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Motorsports,
Infiniti,
Mercedes-Benz,
Ferrari,
UK,
Racing,
McLaren
Qualifying for the British
Formula One Grand Prix was just as much a surprise for fans as it was for teams. Certain team weather radar displays didn't accurately pinpoint storm systems over the track, and in the case of at least two teams, the lack of data was compounded by poor decision making. That's how
both Ferraris and
both Williams got kicked out of qualifying in Q3 - the drivers already on track took advantage of a dry spell between rains, but
Ferrari and
Williams waited too long to get back out, and by the time they did it had started raining again.
Rain-induced bewilderment hit the front of the field as well. When all appeared resolved in Q3 but the clock hadn't yet run down to zero, drivers including
Lewis Hamilton and
Daniel Ricciardo pulled into the pits thinking the day was done. However, a drying last sector of
the Silverstone circuit meant the drivers still out could suddenly improve their times by four seconds in just that sector. When the bell tolled, those who fought to the last were those who lined up first:
Nico Rosberg in the first
Mercedes AMG Petronas,
Sebastian Vettel in the first
Infiniti Red Bull Racing,
Jenson Button in the
McLaren,
Nico Hülkenberg in the first
Force India and Kevin Magnussen in the second McLaren.
Hamilton had fallen all the way to sixth on the grid, a mortifying blow to his race and his championship challenge. He was followed by Sergio Perez in the second Force India, Ricciardo in the second
Infiniti Red Bull Racing, Toro Rosso teammates Daniil Kvyat and Jean-Eric Vergne completing the top ten.
When the green lights went out, the weather stayed bright, but ill winds blew on track for some.
Continue reading Race Recap: 2014 British F1 Grand Prix readjusts the balance of power
Race Recap: 2014 British F1 Grand Prix readjusts the balance of power originally appeared on
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07-07-2014 12:02 PM