Sauber Duo Relish Wet Qualifying

German Nick Heidfeld was happy with the fourth fastest time in Friday's first qualifying session for the French Grand Prix.

In an extraordinary session that saw Minardi drivers Jos Verstappen and Justin Wilson finishing on top of the times, the Championship frontrunners had to start on a wet track that dried as the sun came out, allowing the slowest cars to set the fastest times by a massive margin.

Sauber driver Heidfeld was one of the drivers who benefitted from a drying track, posting the fourth quickest time.

"I am happy about my fourth place today, although you have to take into consideration that the weather conditions basically decided the finishing order," said Heidfeld. "I was one of the last drivers going out on intermediate tyres, and think I had a good run."

Heidfeld's teammate Heinz-Harald Frentzen wished today's time counted for Sunday's grid after completing a strong day for Sauber, finishing as ninth quickest.

"I think my lap was all right under those circumstances," said Frentzen. "In the morning there was heavy rain and the track was very wet. Later it started to clear up and so we had fairly dry track conditions while qualifying. It would have been nice if it was the starting grid."