Sauber Duo Fail to Shine in Qualifying

The Sauber team were disappointed following their worst performance of the 2002 season in qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix.

Brazilian rookie Felipe Massa, driving at the tight and twisty streets of the Monte Carlo circuit for the first time this weekend, was the quickest of the Sauber duo, outqualifying German teammate Nick Heidfeld.

Massa was 13th quickest, but the young Brazilian claimed he could have ended further up the grid with a bit of luck.

"The balance of my car was okay today and the grip was not too bad," said Massa. "In fact, I think for me a top 10 or maybe a top 12 position was possible. But this is one of those places where you have to be lucky, and I don't think we were today."

Heidfeld was also disappointed after his worst qualifying performance of the year, the German setting the 17th fastest time with the Petronas-powered C21 car. Heidfeld is looking forward to a stronger race.

"Obviously I'm not very happy," said Heidfeld. "In the second half of this morning's session the car was not bad, but this afternoon for qualifying it just didn't have the same level of grip. Now we must look to the race. The important thing will be to finish what is always a hard event."