Formula One season gets underway - Renault, Ferrari, McLaren and Honda on the pace

Nico Rosberg, WilliamsF1, seventh place: “I really enjoyed myself today and the final result was a good outcome. Unfortunately I made a mistake at the first corner, expecting that Heidfeld might leave me more room and the incident put me right back. However, it was a super effort by the team and I really enjoyed fighting my way up, particularly battling with Coulthard. The final result - seventh place and the fastest lap of the race -is more than I could have hoped for in my first race. Today was a great start and I’m looking forward to the next race.

Sam Michael, Technical Director, WilliamsF1: “Our final positions today don’t reflect our real pace as the car was fast and we were perhaps a bit too conservative on our pit stop strategy by running too long at the start. However, looking at the FW28 over the race, it is clear that we have a strong car aerodynamically and mechanically. With all of the new partnerships that we have, today is a credit to all involved. The tyres worked fantastically, we couldn’t have asked for better, as our long runs on Friday with Alex indicated. Unfortunately on qualifying day, the track was a bit too cool for our compound compared to the other Bridgestone runners, but today the compound was perfect. Together with our other technical partner, Cosworth, it is clear we have a good combination. Mark drove a solid race, start to finish. Nico made mistake at turn one, which cost him 45s on his in lap and pitstop – without this, he would have been on the podium and he did record the fastest lap of the race. For his first race, it’s a fantastic result. Our target now is to turn up in Malaysia and deliver the goods.”

Simon Corbyn, Head of F1 Race Engineering, Cosworth: “Today was a great start to the season with Williams. Neither of the Cosworth CA 2006 engines missed a beat throughout the race and the performance of the series two engines was very competitive and everyone at Cosworth deserves thanks for all their efforts over the winter.”

Christian Klien Red Bull Racing, eighth: “After the problems we suffered during the winter, it’s great that both cars crossed the finish today. The first part of the race went well and I was able to make up a few positions, but later on I wasn’t able to keep the same pace. The cars grip seemed to give way a little and I lost some time. I also had a problem with the clutch. It’s a shame that Nico (Rosberg) overtook me in the final laps as it meant I dropped from seventh to eighth in the closing stages.”

Christian Horner, Sporting Director, Red Bull Racing: “Going into the race having not completed more than 20 consecutive laps, I think it was an excellent effort from the whole team. Both drivers drove well on different strategies and appeared to have reasonable pace, especially at the beginning. However the two Williams cars had incredible pace, especially after their pit stops, and we just weren’t quick enough to hold them off, particularly Rosberg. But, we have one Championship point and we’re off the mark. We now have to build from here.”

Felipe Massa, Ferrari, ninth: "I must say that it really was a pity. Right from the start of the weekend I had a very competitive car and it's a shame that I wasn't able to pick up some points. When I spun I was very close to Alonso and I just touched the brakes but then I lost the rear end and spun off. During the pit stop I lost a lot of time to change the right rear tyre and that's when I lost any chance of finishing in the points. For the rest of the race I was flat out all the time and I managed to climb back up to 9th. It's a pity that I've come away from this race with no points, but I'm looking forward to get my own back because I know that we have everything it takes to perform well."

David Coulthard, Red Bull Racing, tenth: “I flat spotted early on when I was wheel to wheel with Nick (Heidfeld), which afterwards caused huge vibrations in the car. There’s so much vibration when that occurs, you lose visibility, your eyes are shaking in your head and it feels like you’re sitting on top of a spin drier. You can’t read the pit board nor the displays in the car. The team wanted me to do an oil transfer, but I had to ask them what colour the button was that I needed to press, as you can’t read anything when it’s like that. It’s horrible and rounds off a pretty disappointing weekend.” Nick Heidfeld, 12th: Obviously things started badly as Nico Rosberg spun me in the first corner. I lost a lot of places and that ruined my race. I was able to fight back and had a particularly exciting battle with Coulthard. It’s difficult to assess our performance after only one race but naturally it’s disappointing when you start 10th and can’t score any points.

Jacques Villeneuve: DNF (engine failure) My start was not particularly great, but I managed to find my way through the first few corners and to stay out of trouble there. The race set-up was fine and I settled into a good rhythm. I overtook Coulthard and stayed in front of Raikkonen for quite a while. Then all of a sudden I started to lose power, and that was it.

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