WILL POWER/Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet won his fourth consecutive IZOD IndyCar pole position Saturday afternoon at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, with a lap of 1:01.2070/105.233 mph. TIM CINDRIC, President of Penske Racing, will ‘call’ the race for Power. In celebration, Cindric said there will be a gold P1 logo on Power’s rear wing for the race.
Power said “Qualifying was interesting, very nice on the new tires, some drama. There are 20 guys there who could win. I think it will have a lot to do with the weather. It depends on how the weather is, and it’s a pretty straightforward race. It’s great for us; if not, it’s just going to be one of the typical mixed-up IndyCar races where no one knows who’s going to win.”
The weather was hot – 78 degrees F ambient/26C, and 108 degrees F/42C on the track.
Second through sixth were TAKUMA SATO/ABC Supply A.J. Foyt Racing Honda; SIMONA de SILVESTRO/Nuclear Energy Areva KVRT Chevrolet; JAMES HINCHCLIFFE/GoDaddy.com Andretti Autosport Chevrolet; HELIO CASTRONEVES/Hitachi Team Penske Chevrolet; and Rookie TRISTAN VAUTIER/Florida Lottery c/w Schmidt Peterson Honda.
Sato said “Between Will and I it’s always getting close for us this weekend and unfortunately no we didn’t get the fastest. The last three weeks testing have been very progressive. So I think we made a good improvement, and I’m really happy to show the improvement over the course of qualifying. I’m really glad to get it done.”
De Silvestro will start third, her best-ever IndyCar start in her three-year career. It was nice to see so many of the drivers congratulating de Silvestro; and she thanked everyone who supported her. “I have people around me who want the same things as I do – to be competitive and win races. It’s really cool to finally get the results we wanted.” Power said post-qualifying “It was good to see some new people up there. Like Simona, that’s very cool, but I always knew, everyone always knew she was quick. She said it was a bit nerve wracking, being her first time in the Fast Six. De Silvestro continues to downplay her gender when racing. “When we wear a helmet, we’re all the same.”
Power also complimented Sato, saying “Sato, we all know he’s fast, so that’s what you would expect.”
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Hinchcliffe said “The red tires were such an unknown. The first time you drive the is really when it counts in qualifying. There was just one lap and then next lap could be significantly slower if there was traffic. I’m glad to get it out of the way, to be honest.”
Castroneves, three-time winner and pole sitter in 2007. “For us, it was a good effort. JOHN DIUGUID, my engineer, actually a new engineer, and we’re very happy we were able to find the issues. A good job by him and the entire team. I think the fans are able to see more action out there.”
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Vautier admitted to being nervous and not know what to expect with the new qualifying and red tires. I think we have to improve on all the tires. I have to get more consistent and really got to focus tonight on how we’re going to be able to save the tires tomorrow and be consistent on longer runs, and improve my pit stops as well, make sure I avoid the mechanics and tires when I park, and then we should be fine.”
IndyCar’s 2012 Champion, RYAN HUNTER-REAY/DHL Andretti Autosport Chevrolet was bumped at the last minute, and didn’t make the Fast Six. He said “We were only a couple of tenths off in the Fast Six. As usual it’s tight – if you miss it by a hair, you’re going to be on the outside looking in.” RHR is looking for his first victory in what he considers to be his hometown area. He will start eighth.
One unhappy camper was SEBASTIEN BOURDAIS/Dragon Racing Chevrolet, who had an animated pit box discussion with ALEX TAGLIANI/Barracuda Racing Honda after Qualifying. Bourdais said he was stuck behind Tag during a fast lap. Bourdais will start twenty-first, behind Tagliani, who starts seventeenth.
E.J.VISO/Team Venezuela/Andretti Autosport Chevrolet was able to get out on track for Qualifying, after his team thrashed away following Viso’s crash during the morning practice. Something broke on the car and he only turned a couple of laps before he walled it. He said the car was still “missing a lot of downforce, which made the car understeer like crazy.” He will start twenty-second, in a field of 25, but is optimistic about the race. “I really think tomorrow will be a good day. There are plenty of variables that can affect us, including the weather. I totally trust the strategies that Andretti is going to put together for tomorrow’s race.”
Sunday’s Green Flag for the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg waves at 12:30pm EDT, but the Pre-Race coverage and live TV broadcast on NBC Sports starts at noon.