Sauber Pleased with Car Performance

Villeneuve had a disappointing first qualifying session, setting the 14th fastest time - with only the Jordans and Minardis slower than him. And he admitted that in today's final qualifying session he elected to play it safe as he had little hope of improving his position.

"After yesterday's bad qualifying it was important to feel the car out for the race during final qualifying," Villeneuve said. "It was just a safe lap, really, because we couldn't overtake anyone or be overtaken by anyone. The car was quite good, so I think we should be okay for the race."

Villeneuve will nonetheless start this afternoon's race from 12th, after Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello and Williams' Nick Heidfeld dropped to the bottom of the grid due to an engine change. Brazilian Massa, who qualified 11th yesterday, will begin the race from 10th.

"Well, I'm in the top 10 as we had hoped," Massa commented. "It was a good lap, quicker than David [Coulthard] but not quite enough overall to move me ahead of him.

"The car felt nice and stable even with race fuel aboard, so we have a decent race set-up. I hope I can make a good start and maybe make up a position or two, but in any case I can fight for more points this afternoon."