Kubica: one-stop strategy a mistake

Both Kubica and teammate Nick Heidfeld stopped only once during the 78-lap race, hoping that a safety car period will boost their chances of a strong result.

The strategy didn't pay off, however, as the event was incident-free and Kubica had to be content with a distant fifth place.

"Unfortunately I don't think our one-stop strategy was the right one for this year's Monaco," said Kubica.

 "We expected safety car periods and these did not happen. Looking back now, I think we could have finished better, but I am happy to have scored some important points again.

"I had a small problem with the brakes soon after the start of the race and had to pump them all the time which did not make me feel confident. Then I was stuck in traffic and at the end I had a sensor problem which meant I was without traction control for quite a long time."

Heidfeld finished in sixth place, but the German was still pleased with the result.

"Because of my one stop strategy the most important thing for me to do was overtake Mark Webber at the start, and this worked out. I was also able to get passed Nico Rosberg, although our cars touched in the first corner but luckily mine wasn't damaged.

"In the early laps of my first stint I had some problems with the soft tyres, but later they became better and better. On my second stint I lost quite a few seconds when I had to let the two McLarens by.

"It was enough to let Robert get just in front of me after his pit stop. But altogether I am quite happy with the result."