Limiter problem costs Sauber points

Nick Heidfeld had been running ahead of fifth placed finisher Giancarlo Fisichella before his one and only scheduled pitstop, but two subsequent penalties denied him what could have been two precious world championship points.

"In the beginning my car felt very good and I was having no problem staying ahead of Fisichella," said the German. "After my stop I got held up in traffic and then I learned of my first speeding penalty, a drive through. I got another one as I left the pits on that occasion, and this time it was a 10s stop and go for the second offence. What else is there to say?"

Team-mate Felipe Massa made a strong start to the race, passing Olivier Panis as he worked his way towards the top 10. But he too was caught speeding in the pitlane and he dropped back and finished an eventual ninth.

"I had the same technical problem as Nick, and also to begin with I was not happy with my differential setting but adjusted that from the cockpit," he said. "In between penalties the car was running really well, so altogether it was a frustrating afternoon."

Technical boss Willy Rampf explained that the limiters were working fine on the entry to the pits, but not as the cars were exiting, although he was unable to say what had caused the problem at this stage.