The FIA has cleared four drivers to race tomorrow, despite them failing to qualify within the 107% regulation on Saturday.
With Jenson Button setting a best lap of 2:01.813 in qualifying one, that meant all the drivers had to set a best lap of 2:10.339 to meet the re-introduced regulation for 2011.
Jerome d’Ambrosio, Vitantonio Liuzzi and Daniel Ricciardo failed to make the cut, whilst Michael Schumacher didn’t set a lap time at all having crashed on his out-lap, thanks to a faulty wheel nut.
21. J. d’Ambrosio – Virgin – 2:11.601
22. V. Liuzzi – Hispania – 2:11.616
23. D. Ricciardo – Hispania – 2:13.077
24. M. Schumacher – Mercedes – No Time
The above aforementioned drivers will all start from their respective qualifying positions after proving they can set competitive lap times during the three practice sessions.
![Alpine Managing Director Steve Nielsen [pictured with Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore] is stern in his belief Mercedes has acted correctly](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Alpine-Steve-Nielsen-Flavio-Briatore-350x250.webp)
![Alpine Managing Director Steve Nielsen [pictured with Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore] is stern in his belief Mercedes has acted correctly](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Alpine-Steve-Nielsen-Flavio-Briatore-120x86.webp)
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