More frustration for Williams

As was the case in Monaco, Williams showed flashes of pace but were unable to convert that into a strong performance in qualifying.

After their victory in the Spanish Grand Prix, more has been expected of a resurgent Williams team but their performance in Monaco was frustrated by errors when the car appeared to be quick and the same could be said in qualifying for the Canadian Grand Prix. Bruno Senna qualifying down in 16th place and will start one position ahead of team-mate Pastor Maldonado.

It had looked much better for Williams when Maldonado finished FP3 in fifth position. The Venezuelan looked likely to make it through to Q3 on his final flying lap in Q2, but pushed a little too hard into the final corner and tagged the Wall of Champions on his exit, spinning the Williams around into the middle of the track in a replica accident to Senna’s crash on Friday afternoon.

“On my final lap I just took too much kerb and ended up hitting the wall, which is disappointing because I was on a good lap that should have put me into Q3,” said Maldonado.

Senna, who has been comprehensively out-qualified by his team-mate so far this year put his poor grid slot down to a failure to properly understand circuit conditions. “It was looking promising in Q1 and I managed to put a few good laps together, but the track evolution caught us out a little bit and there just wasn’t the grip in Q2,” admitted the Brazilian. “It is frustrating to be back in 16th position but we have learnt a lot today and I’m sure we will be stronger tomorrow.”

Senna’s point of view was echoed by the team, who point to their overall pace and the fact this circuit is the polar opposite of Monaco in terms of passing opportunities. “We have a lot to do tomorrow to get into the points but our high fuel, long run pace is good,” added chief operations engineer Mark Gillan.