Heidfeld rues qualifying mistake

The BMW driver lost control of his car with around a minute remaining in the second part of qualifying, crashing heavily and forcing the session to be yellow-flagged.

Although Heidfeld escaped unscathed, he missed the top 10 and hence the final shoot-out.

"I really wanted to make it into the top ten and tried everything I knew, but lost the rear of the car and went into the tyres, which unfortunately has damaged the car quite badly," explained Heidfeld.

"All in all qualifying was disappointing, especially as I felt good after the results of the three free practice sessions yesterday and today.

"With new tyres I just could not get the necessary grip, but the positive side is I feel well again yesterday after my stomach problems yesterday."

Heidfeld will start tomorrow's race from 15th position, two places behind teammate Jacques Villeneuve, who was disappointed after failing to make it into the top ten.

The Canadian believes he had the speed to be in the top five.

"I am very disappointed because less than two tenths of a second was P5 and I know there was that time in the car," he said. "The second lap was quick, but the yellow flags caught us out.

"That really does your race and finishing P5 or P12 in the session means the difference between finishing on the podium or not. It is a little bit rough but we are at the wrong end of the tenths today big time."