Sauber Drivers Lament Rain-Hit Session

Heinz-Harald Frentzen and his Sauber teammate Nick Heidfeld rued their bad luck after they were hampered by rain in opening qualifying for the United States Grand Prix.

A heavy shower broke after the first 13 drivers had run in the first qualifying session, leaving the rest of the field, with no chance of a quick lap. Frentzen was one of the drivers who had to complete his lap on a damp track and set the 13th quickest time almost four seconds off the pace.

"By the second and third sector of my lap the rain had set in and the track was soaked," Frentzen said. "I was on dry tyres, which therefore weren't ideal for these conditions. Obviously I wasn't able to attack.

"However, I can say that the car felt better than it did this morning, when we had some problems with the balance."

Heidfeld was more unfortunate than his teammate, the German having to complete his flying lap on a very wet track. He finished eight seconds off the pace in 15th position.

"I think it's quite impossible to have more bad luck," said Heidfeld. "It started to rain just before I left the pits and so I was the first driver on the wet track after the break. Usually we are quick in the rain, but not under these conditions."