Disappointed Sauber Expected More from Qualifying

Team boss Peter Sauber was unhappy with the Swiss squad's performance in qualifying for the German Grand Prix at the Hockenheim circuit.

After setting the fifth and sixth quickest times respectively in the morning practice session, Nick Heidfeld and teammate Felipe Massa were unable to repeat the feat in qualifying, with the German finishing in tenth position while the Brazilian rookie was 14th.

"After free practice this morning I expected more from qualifying," said Sauber. "In Nick's case the explanation is that he had to switch to the T-car for his last run, and at least we were able to continue our record of qualifying one car in the top ten."

Heidfeld was forced to use the spare car for his final run, and with it he was able to set his quickest time of the day.

"This morning I had a problem with the hydraulics on my race car, but I'm not sure why it lost speed on my third run this afternoon," Heidfeld. said. "That meant using the spare for my final run; fortunately it was already set-up for me.

"As I was unfamiliar with it I did two flying laps, and the first was my best of the afternoon. Normally you are slower in the spare car, so I'm delighted that it went well enough to get back into the top ten for my home race."