Heidfeld welcomes weather help

Heidfeld continued with his team's strong run of results by finishing in eighth position, benefiting from the superiority of his Michelin tyres in the wet conditions.

"Eighth position is a good result," admitted Heidfeld. "Before qualifying I didn't really believe we would make it into the top ten here. But then it went very well. The weather was good for us because the Michelin tyres are an advantage in the rain.

"In the second and quickest qualifying segment I was fourth, therefore, I was hoping for more in the final session. However, then the track was drying more and more and this didn't help our car.

"The important fact is we made it with both cars into the top ten and Toyota, our nearest competitor in the constructors' championship, is a long way behind."

Heidfeld's teammate Robert Kubica also made it to the top ten for the fourth time in a row, the Pole finishing as ninth fastest.

"For me this is the fourth time in four Grands Prix in the top ten," said Kubica. "It was a good qualifying, especially as we had a small problem on the car this morning, so I couldn't run and my experience at this track is several laps yesterday.

"The conditions were not easy and, as they were changing, it was difficult to get the right line.

"However, I think it is not bad for my first time here. We can't realistically expect another podium tomorrow, but we will just have to wait and see what the conditions are like and at least hope to finish in the points."