Kubica aiming to retain third place

The BMW Sauber driver had a 12-point deficit going into the Shanghai race, but a disappointing qualifying left the Pole with almost no hope for the today's event.

Starting from 11th place, Kubica put on a strong performance to climb up to sixth position, but that was not enough to keep his title hopes alive.

Now Kubica is aiming to keep third place in the final race in Brazil.

"After a very difficult qualifying I'm pleased with sixth," said Kubica, six points ahead of Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen. "I made up a position at the start and then another two when Jarno Trulli and Sebastien Bourdais touched in the first corner.

"The balance of the car was still not good in the first two stints, and it only changed in the final stint after we changed to the softer compound.

"There is now one race left, and I shall try hard to defend my third place in the drivers' championship."

Teammate Nick Heidfeld finished in fifth position as BMW lost all chances of fighting for the constructors' championship.

"I'm quite happy with today's race," said Heidfeld. "At the start I gained positions and in corner two I overtook Sebastian Vettel on the outside. He touched the rear of my car, but he has already told me it wasn't on purpose and, anyway, nothing happened. So after a few corners I was sixth again - just where I thought I would start from after qualifying.

"Later in the race I reduced the engine revs to save it for Brazil. It is a fact we now don't have any hopes of claiming the constructors' title, and neither can Robert win the drivers' championship.

"But we shouldn't be too disappointed, the team has had a fantastic third season, and Robert especially had a very good year. It's not over yet."