In the last couple of minutes of the Q3 – when the quickest laps are practically being recorded – all computers at the Hungaroring crashed, leaving both the teams and the worldwide viewers in the dark on the overall results.
As shown by the TV cameras in the parc ferme soon after the qualifying session had ended, nobody really knew who had won. The 9 drivers taking part in the Q3 started asking each other how did they do, before Bernie Ecclestone came to visit them and assured all of them that everything will be OK.
“Bernie came along and told us that the times would be back up soon and not to worry,” admitted Williams' Nico Rosberg afterwards.
Fernando Alonso was eventually declared winner of the qualifying, ahead of the two Red Bull drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber.
“The finish line sensor suffered a mechanical failure in the form of a damaged cable. Standard procedures were followed and the back-up sensor used. Once the verification procedures were complete the full results were published. At no time was any timing data lost,” said the statement from the Hungarian officials.
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