Mercedes-Benz TecDay Real Life Safety - PART IV

By | Published Thursday, 13 November 2008


OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Leipzig, Germany, Nov 12, 2008

Speed Limit Assist: Electronic image processing system detects speed-limit signs as the car drives past them

A newly developed Speed Limit Assist system detects speed-limit signs in milliseconds, in real time, and reminds the driver of the current speed limit. The system, which will be available for the new E-Class and the model year 2009 S-Class, is based on intelligent, electronic image processing.


Throughout the world, failure to adjust speed is the root cause of the most
road accidents and the road accidents with the gravest consequences. The new Mercedes assistance system can remind drivers of the speed limit currently in force and, in doing so, help them to be safer on the road. The speed limit appears on a display in the instrument cluster and remains visible until the speed restriction is lifted or changed.

A windscreen-mounted camera monitors the area in front of the car on a permanent basis and has a trained eye for road signs. That's because a computer scans the camera image for round surfaces only and then highlights these. In the next step, a system of algorithms filters out all objects that are round but do not resemble traffic signs. Finally, a comparison with stored patterns eliminates all but those objects which the system is programmed to detect: round traffic signs
indicating the speed limit. The symbols are sent to the cockpit display, meaning that the driver is always aware of the current speed limit and can adjust the car's speed accordingly.

Some of the speed-limit signs in Europe – for example those seen when entering or leaving towns – are rectangular, however. In such cases, the assistance system also scans the data stored on the navigation system's digital map to check the plausibility of the camera image. The last speed limit detected disappears from the display in the instrument cluster as soon as the car enters a built-up area,
for example.

Thanks to the huge strides forward made in computer-based image-processing technology, Speed Limit Assist is able to work in real time, analysing the images within a fraction of a second so as to provide the driver with the required information instantaneously. Plus it makes no difference whether the speed-limit sign is at the side of the road or on a gantry above the road.



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Mercedes-Benz TecDay Real Life Safety - PART III

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OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Leipzig, Germany, Nov 12, 2008

Lane Keeping Assist: Steering wheel vibrates to warn the driver if the car leaves its lane unintentionally

A newly developed Mercedes assistance system warns the driver if the car leaves its lane unintentionally. The camera on the inside of the windscreen monitors the road markings and detects when the car leaves its lane. Lane Keeping Assist will be available for the new E-Class and the S-Class from spring 2009.


Lane departure is the cause of one in six serious accidents on German roads. And more than a third of all road users killed here are involved in this type of accident. This is why Mercedes-Benz has developed this new technology – another "forward-looking" assistance system for even safer motoring. This is made possible by a camera on the inside of the windscreen, which can detect road markings by evaluating the difference in contrast between the road surface and the markings.

The image-processing system sends data to an electronic control unit, which determines the position of the car and detects when it leaves its lane on the left or right. Unlike conventional systems of this type, the Mercedes assistance system also assesses the driver's actions and, by doing so, reliably ascertains whether the car has left its lane intentionally or unintentionally. There is therefore no warning if, for example, the driver accelerates before overtaking or joining a motorway, brakes heavily or steers into a bend.

If the system determines that the car is leaving its lane unintentionally, it activates an electric motor, causing the steering wheel to vibrate – a discreet yet highly effective way of prompting the driver to countersteer. The timing of the warning depends on the width of the road and the type of lane markings. If the car crosses over a continuous line on the road, as opposed to a broken one, the system emits its warning earlier.

Lane Keeping Assist operates at speeds of between 60 and 250 km/h as soon as the system has detected a lane marking. The steering wheel does not vibrate to warn the driver if the driver ...

- cuts a corner intentionally
- uses the turn indicators
- moves back into the original lane after overtaking

Furthermore, Lane Keeping Assist is deactivated immediately if ABS, ESP ®, Brake Assist or another safety system intervenes.



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Mercedes-Benz TecDay Real Life Safety - PART II

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OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Leipzig, Germany, Nov 12, 2008

New headlamp and night-view systems: Adaptive Highbeam Assist selects the optimum light settings automatically

Driving a car at night will be even safer in future. Mercedes-Benz is
unveiling an innovative system which adjusts the range of the headlamps automatically based on the distance to oncoming vehicles or moving vehicles in front with their lights on. Consequently, the best possible headlamp range is always selected, allowing the driver to see the course of the road, pedestrians or danger spots at an earlier stage. From spring 2009, the new E-Class and the S-Class will feature the world's most powerful headlamp technology in the shape of the Intelligent Light System and Adaptive Highbeam Assist. What's more, Mercedes-Benz has further developed the tried-and-tested Night View Assist system, which illuminates the road ahead of the vehicle with non-reflective infrared light. As soon as the system detects pedestrians up ahead, they are highlighted on the display in the cockpit.


In contrast to conventional systems, which merely switch between low beam
and high beam, the new Adaptive Highbeam Assist system adapts itself in line with the current conditions on the road, controlling the light distribution as the situation allows. The low-beam range can therefore be increased from 65 to up to 300 metres – without dazzling other motorists. If the system detects oncoming vehicles or vehicles in front, it adapts the headlamp range continuously, based on the distance to these vehicles, so that the cone of light emitted by the headlamps ends before it reaches these vehicles. In addition, Adaptive Highbeam Assist takes into account the steering angle in order to dim the headlamps on tight bends. If the road ahead is clear, the system switches to high beam with a minimum of fuss.

Realistic tests confirm that motorists who use Adaptive Highbeam Assist are
safer on the road in the dark: dummies placed at the side of the road to simulate pedestrians were detected from a distance of around 260 metres – around 150 metres earlier than is the case when conventional low beam is used – despite the presence of oncoming traffic. The new Mercedes assistance system therefore offers more than double the safety at night.

What's more, the system relieves driver stress as there is no longer any need to repeatedly flick the stalk on the steering wheel. So the driver can concentrate more on actually driving the car. Once activated, Adaptive Highbeam Assist always provides the best possible headlamp range.
Studies have shown that high beam is currently only switched on for around
eight percent of each night journey on average.

Data transfer every 40 milliseconds

The newly developed Mercedes technology is based on a camera, located on the inside of the windscreen, which monitors the traffic situation in front of the car. Thanks to an intelligent image-processing algorithm, the camera is able to detect other vehicles and the distance to them. The range of the variable-control bi-xenon headlamps is set based on these findings and adapted continuously
depending on the distance to the vehicle in front or the oncoming traffic. The system operates at lightning speed, sending new data to the headlamps every
40 milliseconds.

Adaptive Highbeam Assist is ready to act at speeds above 55 km/h and operates autonomously once the driver has moved the rotary light switch to the "Auto" position and selected high beam using the multifunction stalk on the steering wheel.

Intelligent Light System increases headlamp range by 50 metres when driving on the motorway

Mercedes-Benz will combine this new development with the Intelligent Light System, which offers five different bi-xenon light functions, each of which is suited to typical driving or weather conditions:

- Country mode
- Motorway mode
- Enhanced fog lamps
- Active light function
- Cornering light function

The light system is based on powerful bi-xenon headlamps. These are variably controllable, and are networked with other electronic control units from which the headlamps obtain information about the current driving situation and distribute their beam patterns accordingly. The familiar low-beam headlamps are replaced by the new country mode, which illuminates the driver’s-side edge of the road more widely and brightly than before. In the dark, this enables the driver to appraise the situation and respond more rapidly when other road users cross their path.

Motorway mode, which comes on automatically when driving above 90 km/h, increases the driver’s range of vision by up to 60 per cent. This lighting function is activated in two stages: the Intelligent Light System first increases the output of the bi-xenon bulbs from 35 to 38 watts, thereby increasing the light intensity and providing noticeably better illumination of the road ahead and the side verges. The second stage of motorway mode is triggered at 110 km/h, when the beam of the bi-xenon module on the driver’s side is elevated slightly. Motorway mode has a range of around 120 metres, and the driver is able to see about 50 metres further at the centre of this cone of light than with conventional low-beam headlamps.

With the likewise enhanced fog lamps, Mercedes-Benz improves driver orientation when visibility is poor. The new lighting function is activated at speeds below 70 km/h, as soon as the rear fog lamp is switched on. The variable headlamp technology incorporated in the Intelligent Light System makes it possible to pivot the bi-xenon headlamp on the driver’s side outwards by eight degrees, while lowering its beam of light at the same time. This illuminates the inner half of the road more brightly and reduces the degree of glare from light reflected back by the fog.

The Intelligent Light System also includes the active light and cornering light functions. These are switched on automatically: depending on the steering angle, yaw rate and vehicle speed, the active headlamps pivot sideways by up to 15 degrees in fractions of a second, thereby greatly improving road illumination. On an extended bend with a radius of 190 metres, the driver is able to see 25 metres further than with conventional low-beam headlamps thanks to this system. This function operates in both low-beam and high-beam mode.

The cornering light function improves safety at crossroads, at T-junctions and on tight bends. It is activated automatically when the driver operates the turn indicators or turns the steering wheel at a speed below 40 km/h. The fog lamps then swivel to illuminate the area diagonally in front of the vehicle for a distance of around 30 metres, with an angle of coverage of 65 degrees.

Night View Assist PLUS with new function for highlighting pedestrians on the display

Mercedes-Benz will be offering Night View Assist – available for the S-Class since 2005 – for the new E-Class. The system uses infrared technology to enhance the driver's range of vision in the dark: two separate headlamps illuminate the road with invisible, non-reflective infrared light. A windscreen-mounted camera designed to pick up precisely this type of light records what happens in front of the car and sends the image to a display on the dashboard. The clear, needle-sharp greyscale image that appears here shows the scene in front of the car, allowing the driver to see pedestrians, cyclists or obstacles on the road at an early stage.

The Sindelfingen-based engineers have further developed Night View Assist and, in future, will be equipping it with a special pedestrian-detection function: as soon as the system detects pedestrians ahead of the car, they are highlighted on the display to make it easier for the driver to see them.

















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Mercedes-Benz TecDay Real Life Safety - PART I

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OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Leipzig, Germany, Nov 12, 2008

In the new E-Class and S-Class from spring 2009: Synergy of sophisticated safety technologies makes new Mercedes models part of the "thinking" process

By introducing around a dozen new or modified systems, Mercedes-Benz is adding a new chapter to its long history of passenger- car safety. Following on from their successes achieved in the domain of occupant protection, the Mercedes experts will be focussing more than ever on avoiding traffic accidents and reducing accident severity, with the driver assistance systems being unveiled in the new E-Class and the model year 2009 S-Class from spring 2009 onwards set to play a crucial role. Mercedes-Benz is implementing a globally unique synergy of sophisticated safety technologies to give its cars extra "senses" and added intelligence. All of which makes Mercedes models part of the "thinking" process – cars that can see, sense and act autonomously. In addition to this, the Mercedes saloons show the way ahead when it comes to occupant protection and set new standards with their "electronic" crumple zones.


Like tried-and-trusted Mercedes inventions such as ABS, ESP®, Brake Assist and PRE-SAFE®, the new assistance systems have been adapted based on real-life
accident findings. The aim behind their development was to prevent extremely frequent types of collision and collisions with serious consequences by focussing on the causes of accidents: distance to other vehicles, speed, drowsiness, darkness and lane departure.

To this end, Mercedes-Benz is for the first time using camerasalongside radar sensors. These long-range cameras monitor the area around the car and are able to interpret critical situations. By way of example, new camera-based assistance systems help the driver by keeping the car safely on track, detecting speed-limit signs, controlling the headlamps in line with the current driving situation and enhancing visibility in the dark.

The new E-Class will be the world's first car to feature headlamps that adapt automatically in line with the current driving situation. Adaptive Highbeam Assist detects oncoming vehicles or moving vehicles in front with their lights on and adjusts the headlamps continuously so as to always provide the best possible headlamp range – without dazzling other motorists. In this way, the low-beam range can be increased from its current level of 65 metres to up to 300 metres.

If the road ahead is clear, the system switches to high beam with a minimum of fuss. This Mercedes development is therefore fundamentally different to conventional systems of this type, since the latter merely switch between low beam and high beam.

Adaptive Highbeam Assist: the best possible light in any traffic situation

Tests show that motorists who use Adaptive Highbeam Assist are safer on the road in the dark because they see pedestrians, cyclists or obstacles on the road up to 150 metres earlier than is the case with conventional low beam. What's more, the system helps to relieve driver stress as there is no longer any need to repeatedly flick the stalk on the steering wheel. So the driver can concentrate more on actually driving the car. Once activated, Adaptive Highbeam Assist always provides the best possible headlamp range.

At the heart of the system is a camera, located on the inside of the windscreen, which sends new data every 40 milliseconds so that the range of the variable-control bi-xenon headlamps can be adjusted.

Mercedes-Benz has further developed its Night View Assist system, which illuminates a long stretch of the road ahead using invisible infrared light. The second generation of this system features a special pedestrian detection function: as soon as the system detects pedestrians ahead of the car, they are highlighted on the display.

Lane Keeping Assist: warning if the car leaves its lane

Another new assistance system developed by Mercedes can prevent accidents caused by the car leaving its lane. More than a third of all road users killed in Germanyare involved in this type of accident. This is why Mercedes-Benz has developed a "forward-looking" system for safe motoring called Lane Keeping Assist. Its camera monitors the line taken by the car and the driver's control inputs on a permanent basis, allowing the system to detect when the car leaves its lane unintentionally and if there is a risk of an accident. If this is the case, the system warns the driver in plenty of time, prompting them to counter-steer by making the steering wheel vibrate with a series of short, clearly discernable pulses.

Unlike conventional systems of this type, the Mercedes assistance system also assesses the driver's actions and, by doing so, can ascertain reliably whether the car has left its lane intentionally or unintentionally. There is therefore no warning if, for example, the driver accelerates before overtaking or joining a motorway, brakes heavily or steers into a bend.

If the system detects that the car is leaving its lane unintentionally, it activates an electric motor in the steering wheel, causing the steering wheel to vibrate.
The timing of the warning depends on the width of the road and the type of lane markings. If the car crosses over a continuous line marking on the road, as opposed to a broken line, the system emits its warning earlier.

Speed Limit Assist: a camera with an eye for traffic signs

A further new assistance system reminds the driver of the current speed limit in force: the camera on the windscreen detects speed-limit signs as the car drives past them and then indicates the speed limit on the display in the speedometer. The driver therefore remains fully aware of the current speed limit, enabling them to adapt the car's speed accordingly. The display goes out as soon as the speed limit is lifted.

Thanks to the huge strides forward made in image-processing technology, Speed Limit Assist is able to work in real time, analysing the images within a fraction of a second – as the car drives past – and providing the driver with the required information instantaneously. Plus it makes no difference whether the speed-limit sign is at the side of the road or on a gantry above the road.

Furthermore, Speed Limit Assist evaluates the data provided by the navigation system's digital map, allowing it to check the plausibility of the camera image. By way of example, the last speed limit detected disappears from the display as soon as the navigation system detects that the car has entered a built-up area.

ATTENTION ASSIST: drowsiness detection system fitted as standard in the E-Class and S-Class

Thanks to a new technology, future Mercedes models will have a keen sense of their drivers' awareness. The aim is to detect driver drowsiness in plenty of time so as to warn them before they fall asleep momentarily. According to scientific studies, around a quarter of all serious motorway accidents are caused by driver drowsiness.
The new ATTENTION ASSIST system is equipped with highly sensitive sensors which monitor the driver's behaviour, the current driving situation and over 70 other parameters. By doing this, the system is able to detect when the driver's concentration starts to slip. This permanent form of monitoring is important for detecting the floating transition from awakeness to drowsiness and for warning the driver at an early stage. In addition to the speed, lateral acceleration and longitudinal acceleration, the system also detects use of the turn indicators and pedals as well as certain control inputs and external influences such as side winds or road unevenness, for example.

Observation of steering behaviour has proven to be extremely meaningful.
Field tests carried out by the Mercedes engineers over a period of several years, involving over 550 participants to date, show that drowsy drivers make minor steering errors that are often corrected quickly and abruptly. These are detected by a highly sensitive steering wheel angle sensor. If ATTENTION ASSIST detects typical indicators of drowsiness based on these and other data, it warns the driver by emitting an audible signal and flashing up a message on the display: "ATTENTION ASSIST. Break!"

ATTENTION ASSIST will be specified as standard for the new E-Class and the model year 2009 S-Class.

PRE-SAFE®: tensioning of the seat belts before an unavoidable accident

Further standard equipment Mercedes-Benz offers for these models includes the PRE-SAFE® anticipatory occupant protection system. Based on information received from sensors, it identifies situations that might turn into accidents and instinctively activates preventive occupant-protection measures, allowing the seat belts and airbags to deploy with maximum effect in the event of an impact. PRE‑SAFE® therefore bridges the gap between active safety and passive safety; it is networked to Brake Assist and the Electronic Stability Program (ESP®), whose sensors recognise potentially dangerous driving situations and then transmit this information to the electronic control units within milliseconds.

In another first, Mercedes-Benz will also be using the information provided by
the short-range radar to trigger the seat belt tensioners at the very last moment before an unavoidable collision, thus greatly reducing the forces exerted on the driver and front passenger during the crash.

Radar technology: sensor with medium-range detection capability and greater range

DISTRONIC PLUS and Brake Assist PLUS – Mercedes assistance systems based on sophisticated radar technology – are highly effective at helping to prevent accidents. Analysis of accident-research data has shown that this technology can prevent a fifth of all head-to-tail crashes in Germany on average. On motorways, the accident rate can be reduced by as much as 36 percent.

Mercedes-Benz has further enhanced the radar technology for the new E-Class and the model year 2009 S-Class. The newly developed long-range radar sensor will have a range of 200 metres instead of 150 metres as previously. In addition, the sensor now has medium-range detection capability, allowing monitoring of the area up to around 60 metres ahead of the car with a 60-degree beam width. This new technology enables even more accurate monitoring of the traffic situation in front of the car and even better detection of dynamic events such as a car in front swerving suddenly. The two wide-beam short-range radar sensors (80-degree beam width) with a range of around 30 metres are still employed.

PRE-SAFE® Brake: autonomous emergency braking as "electronic" crumple zone

As well as warning drivers in the new E-Class and the S-Class of an imminent head-to-tail crash, radar technology can also assist with emergency braking. The sensors are networked with Brake Assist PLUS, which automatically calculates the brake pressure required to prevent an imminent collision. This braking assistance, available as soon as the driver hits the brake pedal, allows controlled, targeted braking or – if necessary – emergency braking, depending on the car's speed and the distance to the vehicle in front.

If the driver fails to react to the warnings given by Brake Assist PLUS, the PRE-SAFE® Brake intervenes and brakes the car autonomously: around 1.6 seconds before the calculated impact point, the system initiates autonomous partial braking and decelerates the car with around 40 percent of the maximum braking power.

In the new E-Class and the model year 2009 S-Class, this safety system provides a further function: if the driver still fails to act after automatic partial braking, the PRE-SAFE® Brake activates the maximum braking power around 0.6 seconds before the now unavoidable impact and, as a consequence, can greatly reduce the severity of the accident. The system therefore acts like an "electronic crumple zone", offering the car occupants even greater protection.

Occupant protection: over 150 crash tests for the highest possible level of Mercedes safety

During the course of its development to date, the new E-Class has successfully come through over 150 high-speed crash tests and more than 17,000 realistic crash simulations, including around 40 different crash tests which the saloon had to pass in order to gain world-wide approval and nine extremely demanding, in-house impact tests, some of which go well beyond the statutory requirements.

The Sindelfingen-based engineers have continued to perfect the crumple-zone principle invented by Mercedes safety pioneer Béla Barényi. The front deformation zones of the latest Mercedes passengers cars work on several levels – making them even more effective as the impact forces are distributed over a wide area and can be made to bypass the passenger cell. Likewise the increased use of ultra-high-strength steel alloys helps the bodyshell to withstand high impact loads. These steel grades offer maximum strength whilst minimising weight. Around 72 percent of all the bodyshell panels for the new E-Class are made from sophisticated high-tech steel grades – a new record in passenger-car development.

With a total of seven airbags fitted as standard, not to mention seat-belt tensioners, belt force limiters and NECK-PRO crash-responsive head restraints, the new E‑Class will offer an even more extensive package of safety equipment than its predecessor. Self-adaptive belt-force limiters in the rear, which adapt automatically to suit the size of the rear passengers, will be introduced for the first time in autumn 2009.

Pedestrian protection: new E-Class with active bonnet fitted as standard

Mercedes-Benz is continuing its long-standing and very successful commitment to protecting those road users who are most at risk. Standard equipment for the new E-Class includes an active bonnet, which greatly reduces the risk of injury to pedestrians. In the event of an accident, a system of springs raises the rear section of the bonnet by 50 millimetres within milliseconds, thus enlarging the deformation zone. One special feature of this Mercedes system is its reversibility: drivers can reset the active bonnet themselves without having to visit a workshop.




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F1 Sao Paulo - SUN - The Race - Lewis Hamilton - 2008 FIA Formula 1 World Champion

By | Published Sunday, 2 November 2008


OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Sao Paulo, Brazil, Nov 02, 2008

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton is the 2008 FIA Formula 1 World Champion.


In one of the most dramatic finishes to a world championship ever, Lewis took the title by a single point after securing fifth position on the final corner of the final lap of the final race of the 2008 season. Lewis finished the year with 98 points, one point ahead of Ferrari’s Felipe Massa, who won his home race at Interlagos this afternoon.

Heikki Kovalainen finished seventh - a result that helped the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team to second in the constructors’ championship with 151 points. Ferrari amassed a winning total of 172 points.

At the age of just 23 years, 10 months and 26 days, Lewis is the youngest champion in Formula 1 history. He takes McLaren’s 12th drivers’ world title, and the third for the McLaren Mercedes partnership, which won the drivers’ title in 1998 and ’99 with Mika Häkkinen.

COMMENTS

LEWIS HAMILTON

2008 FIA FORMULA 1 WORLD CHAMPION

"The most dramatic race of my whole life. It’s pretty much impossible to put this into words: I’m still speechless. It’s been such a long journey, but I’ve always had the support of my family, the team, our partners and the fans. We did a fantastic job throughout the whole year and, with all the sacrifices we made, I’m so thrilled to be able to win this for everyone.

"Before it started to rain I was quite comfortable, and I was just focused on having a clean race. Then it started to drizzle and I didn't want to take any risks - but Sebastian got past me and I was told that I had to get back in front of him. I couldn’t believe it. Then at the very last corner I managed to get past Timo - it was just amazing. This was one of the toughest races of my life, if not the toughest. I was shouting, ‘Do I have it? Do I have it?’ on the radio. It was only when I took the chequered flag and got to Turn One that the team told me I was world champion. I was ecstatic."

HEIKKI KOVALAINEN

"The most important news today is that Lewis pulled it off; he did exactly what he had to do to win the championship. Everybody in the team deserves this title, particularly after what happened here one year ago, but the guys stayed focused throughout so congratulations to everyone. I’ll now work even harder over the winter and hopefully next year's world champion will be on the other side of our garage!"

RON DENNIS

"Well, that was a really tough race. We never pushed hard, we never did anything silly, but of course the late rain made things extraordinarily tense. Even so, even when Sebastian got past Lewis, we never gave up, and Lewis never gave up, because we knew that Timo was on dry tyres. Lewis took his chance brilliantly, and the result was one of the most thrilling finishes in sporting history. I’m so proud of Lewis; I’m so proud of the team; everyone - every single one of them - did an absolutely fantastic job. Thanks, also, to Mercedes-Benz and all our partners - and, last but not least, congratulations to Ferrari on winning the constructors’ championship."

NORBERT HAUG

"I am really, really happy for all of us at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. Everybody in the team worked so hard throughout the year. Thank you all, guys. Lewis finally won the title with one point ahead of Felipe Massa after he lost it by one point last year to Kimi in his first one in Formula 1. Congratulations to him. Lewis showed a very disciplined race today and I can imagine how hard it was for a driver like him who wants to win every race that he had to drive carefully to just get the necessary points. Congratulations to Ferrari on the constructors’ title; this was a truly remarkable year for Formula 1."








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Lewis Hamilton is F1 Champion!

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F1 Sao Paulo - SAT - Qualifying - Lewis fourth, Heikki fifth

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Sao Paulo, Brazil, Nov 01, 2008

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen will start Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix, the final grand prix of the 2008 Formula 1 World Championship, from fourth and fifth on the grid. Lewis set a time of 1m12.830 and was fourth ahead of his team-mate, who posted a 1m12.917.


Comments

Lewis Hamilton
“Congratulations to Felipe for achieving pole position in front of his home crowd – he did a great job today. But, tomorrow, I will be focusing on my own race: it will be a tough afternoon but I’m comfortable with the fuel strategy we chose; the guys in front are probably on a different strategy. But we’re in a good position to finish in the same place as we are today – and that’s got to be our aim. We don’t need to do anything spectacular.“

Heikki Kovalainen
“I think we had a straightforward qualifying. My car felt good from the beginning of Q1 and the good balance and performance have been demonstrated by my overall fastest time in Q2. For sure, we'd rather be on the front row – however we'll have to see which strategy the competition in front of us will have in the race. We feel confident about our strategy and should have a solid baseline for a good race tomorrow.”

Ron Dennis
“We're comfortable with the outcome of today's qualifying session. There may be rain tomorrow - and, if there is, we may well see the deployment of the Safety Car. That being the case, it's possible that aggressive race strategies may be affected by those unpredictable variables. We've therefore opted for a race strategy that ought to allow us to protect against such interventions. Now, our focus is to avoid any trouble at the start, after which both our drivers should be in a position to put in strong, competitive performances.”

Norbert Haug
“With Lewis on the second row and Heikki on the third we have a good basis for tomorrow's race. We will probably see different strategies once the race unfolds and I am confident about ours. Our speed is good as we showed in Q1 and Q2 when Heikki was fastest of the day and, if our reliability and performance is there, we will get the job done.”




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