Schumi ‘reasonably pleased’

Editor 22 Sep 2012 5:08 PM

Michael Schumacher is hoping Mercedes’ gamble not to run in Q3 will pay off as they have both tyre options available to them in Singapore…

Michael Schumacher is hoping Mercedes’ gamble not to run in Q3 will pay off as they have both tyre options available to them in Singapore.

Having made it through into the final qualifying segment in ninth and tenth places, Schumacher and his team-mate Nico Rosberg opted for just one lap before pitting.

Neither driver ventured out again meaning Schumacher will line-up ninth on Sunday’s Marina Bay grid with Rosberg alongside him.

However, the decision not to run also means the Mercedes duo can start the race on either of the two compounds, the softs or the super softs,

“I am reasonably pleased with our qualifying result, considering what we have seen this weekend,” said the 43-year-old.

“Of course, we could have tried to make up one or two positions, although this would have been very difficult.

“However we decided to give up this possibility in favour of the fact that we now have a fresh set and free choice of tyres going into the race.

“We decided this strategy after the final practice session, and after seeing who made it into Q3, we went for it.

“Hopefully we can make the best of this choice tomorrow.”