German Grand Prix 2012: Alonso on pole for Ferrari

Fernando Alonso put his Ferrari on pole in Hockenheim for the 2012 German Grand Prix, with McLaren trailing far behind.

It’s not just the UK that offers F1 a wet experience, the 2012 German Grand Prix in Hockenheim did a very good impression of the British weather for today’s qualifying.

Star of the show – once more – was Fernando Alonso who put his Ferrari on pole position for the second time in a row, comfortably beating second place Sebastian Vettel who was half a second slower, just in front of team mate Mark Webber.

But a five place grid penalty for Webber for replacing the gearbox in his Red Bull means that fourth place man in the qualifying – Michael Schumacher – get promoted to the second row alongside another German - Force India’s Nico Hulkenberg.

Row three will be Pastor Maldonado in the Williams alongside Jenson Button, with Lewis Hamilton alongside the demoted Mark Webber on row four and Paul di Resta in the second Force India and Kimi Raikkonen in the Lotus making up row five.

Final qualifying in the rain was a bit of a chaotic affair but Alonso proved his mastery once more with an impressive drive – despite bemoaning the fact it was too dangerous to run the final qualifying session in the downpour – and the McLarens looking not remotely at home on their wet tyres.

Whatever tomorrow’s race holds, the local crowd will be chuffed to see three of the top four starters are in their home race.

By Cars UK