Heidfeld expected Bourdais penalty

BMW Sauber driver Heidfeld failed to make it past Q3 for the first time this year after finding Bourdais in front of him when he was completing his final flying run.

Bourdais seemed to be about to start his final run and did not let Heidfeld through, leaving the German angry.

"I'm totally disappointed," admitted the German. "It looked quite good at the end of yesterday's practice and also this morning. But on my last lap in Q1 I had four cars in my way. Most of them at least tried to give me room, but it still cost me time.

"Towards the end of the lap I had one car in front which was on an out lap. He saw me and accelerated.

"He then overtook Sebastien Bourdais before the last corner, and then Sebastien was right in my way. I was hoping it was so obvious he would be penalised right away and I could still get into Q2."

Heidfeld's teammate Robert Kubica had a much better session after qualifying on the second row of the grid.

The Pole, fourth fastest, admitted his performance was one of the best of the season.

"I am really happy with the result," said Kubica. "This was certainly one of my best qualifying sessions so far this season. I was not expecting to start from fourth as the car has been quite difficult to drive over the entire weekend.

"We struggled a bit with the balance, but in the end I was able to make the harder tyre compound work very well and here we are. I am now looking forward to the race."