Sauber Mystified by Qualifying Struggle

Peter Sauber insisted once more that his team were mystified by their poor performance at the Spa circuit, where Swiss squad struggled for pace during qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix.

"We are mystified why we have lost performance since Hungary, and our investigation into a more satisfactory set-up for the race will obviously continue," said Sauber after the session.

Brazilian Felipe Massa was the quickest of the Sauber duo, outqualifying teammate Nick Heidfeld, but both men failed to shine.

Rookie Massa, who will be replaced by Germany Heinz-Harald Frentzen at the team next year, finished down in 17th position while Heidfeld wound up only 18th quickest, completing the Hinwil-based squad's worst performance of the 2002 season.

"After Hungary, this is a major disappointment for us," said Massa. "I thought we had made a step this morning, but this afternoon I had the same big understeer in slow and medium-speed corners as I did yesterday. Then there was snap oversteer in the fast corners.

"Altogether the car felt very strange today, and after I set my time on my second run I just hit traffic every time I tried to go quicker."