Toro Rosso pair expected better

Buemi, who has made an impressive start to his Formula 1 career with two points finishes from his first four races, blotted his copybook with a spin at the quick Campsa right-hander in Q2, preventing him from making it any higher than the eighth row.

"We were hoping for better than that," said the Swiss driver. "Apart from going off, I also encountered traffic in Q2 and I think without that I could have been maybe three tenths quicker and a couple of places higher.

"I've not given up on having a good weekend here though. Sure, it's hard to overtake here, but you never know what might happen on the first lap."

French team-mate Bourdais complained of extreme oversteer from his car through the slow corners, which prevented him from making it out of Q1, much to the disappointment of technical director Giorgio Ascanelli, who was expecting more.

"We have benefited from the introduction of the 'Melbourne' specification package, as used by Red Bull Racing from the first race, and we could, and should, have got both cars into Q2," Ascanelli said.

"Everyone else has made a step forwards, but I think we have made an even bigger step. Unfortunately we just didn't get it right this afternoon."