The two-time world champion then showed his class, though, beating Webber to
pole by the smallest of margins to claim his first pole since Singapore 2010.
“You need to be lucky and we were today,” said Alonso, who dedicated the pole
to Marussia test driver Maria de Villota who lost her right eye in an
accident earlier this week.
Lucky but also brilliant. Completing an error-free lap in these conditions was
no small achievement.
“I’m happy to be on pole after nearly two years,” he shrugged. “In these
conditions the qualifying is probably the least important of the year but
obviously for visibility it is always better to be on pole.”
Hamilton reported that he had been unable to get heat into his tyres, not
usually a problem for him.
The odds on him repeating his famous wet weather win in 2008 are long but not
overly so.
“I am not happy,” he said. “Eighth is not the best position but that is life.
I could not get temperature into the tyres.
“I had no grip and we were skidding all over the place. We will try and
understand why and fix it for tomorrow.”
At least he is within striking distance of the front-runners. Button’s dismal
run at Silverstone – he has never so much as finished on the podium at his
home race – looks set to continue after he failed to make it out of Q1.
It is the fifth time Button has qualified 18th or lower at Silverstone since
making his first outing here in 2000.
The 32 year-old had looked uncomfortable throughout but was on a quick final
lap when yellow warning flags came out as a result of Timo Glock’s Marussia
spinning on the pit straight.
“It’s a pity but it definitely wasn’t meant to be,” Button said. “It’s the
story of my year.
“The only good thing is that I’ll have more tyres in the race. But I know I
can drive a racing car in the wet and I am sure we will pick up places.”
It would take something pretty miraculous to compete for space with Andy
Murray on Monday’s back pages.
“I watched both semis yesterday,” Button said. “It was an amazing
match with Tsonga. Hopefully it will all go well tomorrow.
“I know they have a roof, but I hope they get some sunshine.”
Sunshine is the last thing Button needs at Silverstone.