Red Bull rely on strategy to move up

Red Bull Racing are likely to opt for `racey` fuel strategies in the Bahrain Grand Prix after Mark Webber and David Coulthard failed to translate their strong free practice pace in to top ten grid slots.

Both drivers had ended Saturday`s practice session in the top five and, after qualifying, team principal Christian Horner admitted he was disappointed not to see either car make it into Q3.

“We`ll consider our strategies carefully tonight, as it`s a circuit that you can overtake on quite easily,” he said.

“We`ll be focusing on how to move up the order in tomorrow`s race.”

Webber will start 11th, having just missed out on a place in the top ten shoot-out when Fernando Alonso outpaced him in Q2.

“We knew it was going to be very tight to get into Q3, which turned out to be the case,” said the Australian. “It was very tough against Fernando (Alonso) and Jenson (Button) today; we weren`t quick enough to go through.”

Coulthard pointed to his car`s inconsistent balance and persistent oversteer as the reasons for his failure to make it beyond Q3 in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

“I never felt comfortable with the balance of the car today and on this track you`ve got to attack on the entries,” said Coulthard. “I had two bad runs in Q1, on the prime tyre and the option.

“The option lap was good enough to get through to Q2, until the last two turns when I had oversteer on the entry to Turn 13.

“I moved the brake balance forward to try and push in the last corner, but I had the same situation and dropped a couple of tenths. That was enough to stop me getting through.”

The Scot will start the race from 17th on the grid.

5.4.2008   ▪ Formula One    ▪ Red Bull    ▪ www.autosport.com