Kubica downbeat after dismal day

The BMW Sauber finished near the bottom of the times in the first session and managed just two laps in the afternoon before his engine went in a big cloud of smoke.

Kubica was unhappy about the lack of track time, but he also admitted his team is just not quick enough in Monte Carlo.

"Today was extremely disappointing," said the Pole. "We clearly lack outright performance and, due to the engine failure in the second session, I had far too little track time. There is nothing to add."

Team-mate Nick Heidfeld had a better day, covering 39 laps in the afternoon after being hit by brake issues in the morning.

The German, however, was also off the pace and reckons BMW is in for a difficult weekend.

"After brake problems on both cars in the morning, the second session was okay for me," he said. "On the long runs I was lucky in terms of traffic, but it was the opposite when I was on new tyres towards the end of the session.

"I lost time when I was stuck behind other cars, but even without this it doesn't look as if this circuit is good for our cars. We will keep working on it."