Panis loses qualifying time

Panis set the 12th quickest time in qualifying (good for 11th on the grid due to Fernando Alonso's grid penalty) but was then adjudged to have impeded Felipe Massa on the run into Abbey while on his slowing down lap.

"I am obviously very disappointed and upset that my time in qualifying was cancelled," said Panis. "I pushed very hard and did the best that I could with the car. With the strategy we have in place for tomorrow, I think we performed well.

"A mistake in communication from the team meant that I only saw Massa late, but I immediately moved over and off-line. I am sorry for the Sauber team because it was not intentional and I did all I could not to impede his lap.

"I am very annoyed at the decision from the stewards. Tomorrow's race will now be very hard, but I will push all the way as I always do."

Toyota technical director Mike Gascoyne said: "The team has to apologise to Olivier for not ensuring that he was fully informed of Massa's position on the track, however he immediately moved off-line and having reviewed the evidence in the stewards meeting we were sure that Massa could take the racing line and not be held up in any way.

"We are therefore very disappointed in the stewards' decision to disallow Olivier's time and we feel that the penalty is both too harsh and undeserved."